Coping strategy for a heart attack – Attention over 60s

Heart attacks become more probable over the age of 60yo. Here are some tips on how to stay alive. Firstly:

1. Always keep two aspirin and a bottle of water here by all the time, particularly next to your bed
2. Have a phone close at hand if you live alone, so you can call for help
3. Know the emergency number in your country, and have it programmed into your speed-dial. i.e. 911 in the USA/Canada, 000 in Australia, 111 in New Zealand, 999 in Britain, Other countries – see Wikipedia or your telephone directory
4. Have your neighbour’s telephone number as well.

The majority of heart attacks occur during sleep, so the victim doesn’t wake up. If you are one of the “lucky ones” who is awoken by the chest pains, then you need some information about how to react:

1. Do not lie down!
2. Immediately dissolve two aspirin in your mouth and swallow them
3. CALL Emergency
4. Unlock the front door
5. Phone your neighbour or a family member who lives nearby:
6. Hell out "heart attack!
7. Tell them you have taken 2 aspirin.
8. Take a seat on a chair or sofa near the front door, and wait for the arrival of help
9. DO NOT lie down ~ unless you fall down.

P.S. If you are bored, start writing your final will. My guess is you won’t be.

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Andrew Sheldon www.sheldonthinks.com