There are around seven million people in the UK who have been diagnosed with a heart problem. If triggered, this can cause long term damage to a person. If you are working with someone who is showing signs of suffering with a heart problem, you should act quickly to provide them with the help they need.
There are three types of heart problem all first aiders should know how to deal with:
Although there should be a designated first aider within your business, there is always the chance that other employees might have to treat a colleague who is experiencing one of these heart conditions.
It's important for you to be able to identify the different types of heart condition to be certain you can confidently administer the correct first aid.
This document outlines the common triggers and symptoms of heart conditions, before taking you through the correct procedure for delivering first aid.
If you have or work with someone who has a history of cardiac arrest, heart attacks or angina, there are specific times when you should look out for recognisable symptoms:
Whether you have a heart condition or work with someone who does, being alert to these situations will ensure you can act quickly. However, people with a history of angina, heart attacks or cardiac arrest are advised to avoid jobs which require them to deal with these common triggers.