Heart attack – Chain of Survival steps
The sooner you can call the emergency services, the better. Call 000.
The signs of cardiac arrest include:
- Sudden collapse
- Loss of consciousness
- No sign of life
Early CPR
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should be commenced immediately after a cardiac arrest has occurred. Anyone can perform heart compressions. Anyone can perform CPR and a casualty who is in cardiac arrest would benefit greatly from bystander CPR.
Early Defibrillation
A defibrillator is an electrical device that delivers a shock to the heart in an attempt to correct abnormal electrical activity. In basic terms, a defibrillator attempts to restart the heart into a normal beating rhythm. Early defibrillation is associated with better survival from a cardiac arrest.
Post-resuscitation care
Appropriate advanced post-resuscitation care in a hospital is essential to improving long-term survival for the patient.
This care should be accessed as quickly as possible after the cardiac arrest has occurred.
Post-resuscitation care refers to the care provided pre hospital by an ambulance service and includes things such as medications, advanced airways, reversing reversible causes etc, to increase chance of survival to hospital.
