Follow this checklist by experts if you’re alone during a heart emergency

On your guardIn case you find yourself alone in a situation where you are facing a heart health emergency like a heart attack or cardiac arrest Dr Nihar Mehta suggests you should first call emergency services For India call 112 102 for ambulance or 108 immediately or keep private ambulance numbers handyAlso identify the hospital closest to you that you can go to in an emergency The key step here is to be prepared with these emergency numbers no matter where you are at home or outsideSushmita Sen engages in stretching exercises after her heart health emergency Pic courtesyInstagramStay watchful of the warning signs for a cardiac arrest which include a sudden loss of responsiveness or consciousness chest discomfort or pain that may radiate to the arm neck back jaw teeth and up to umbilicus shortness of breath with or without chest pain nausea vomiting lightheadedness or cold sweats absence of normal breathing or gasping and undetectable heartbeatDr Praveen KulkarniTake charge of your healthDr Praveen Kulkarni senior consultant Cardiology at Global Hospitals notes that a heart attack is a lifethreatening condition that happens when the heart comes to a standstill and does not pump blood If one finds themselves in such a condition be alert to the symptoms and call for help The red flags of a heart attack include breathing difficulty flulike symptoms back pain chest pain nausea vomiting rapid or irregular heartbeats pain or discomfort in one or both arms the back neck jaw or stomach dizziness or lightheadedness and fainting Do not neglect these symptoms if you are alone in an office or walking on the road Do not delay treatmentPractise meditation and breathing techniques to improve heart healthFor those present with a patient call a hospitalrsquos emergency helpline for an ambulance so that the patient receives treatment within the golden hour Do not make the person walk sit drink or eat Check the pulse of the person immediately If they are not breathing or are unconscious conduct the CPR procedure which can be lifesavingArouba KabirStay calmIf you find yourself unable to take action employ steps to quickly calm down so that you can call for help and remain composed till it arrives You canfollow these steps no matter where you are Arouba Kabir a mental health professional and founder of Enso Wellness lists these instructions1 To foster calmness take deliberate deep breaths inhale through your nose and exhale slowly through your mouth Centre yourself and tap into your innate strength so that you can think clearly and make informed decisions If you are outdoors take cover and take actionIf you are at work do not ignore symptoms If you are alone contact your emergency numbers2 Promptly reach out to your emergency numbers on speed dial Then clearly communicate your urgency location and condition3 Seek empowerment through medical compliance If you possess knowledge about your condition or medical instructions empower yourself by adhering to them diligently Take medications as prescribed communicate relevant medical history to emergency services and play an active role in your own wellbeing4 Nurture your emotional equilibrium on a regular basis it is not achieved overnight This will help you stay calm and focused during a chaotic time5 Reinforce your resilience through mental health support after the storm has passed Seek professional help to address the psychological impact of your personal experienceUntil help arrivesCPR helps to maintain blood circulation and oxygen supply Representation picsStay calm Donrsquot try to collect your belongings or call many people around Focus on taking long and deep breaths Lie flat and elevate the legs with two pillows Donrsquot eat or drink anything unless the patient has low sugar in which case sugar can be placed in the mouth If you are conscious chew and swallow an aspirin Unless you are allergic to it it may help reduce the severity of a heart attack Paramedics should be informed if the aspirin has been taken In case of angina or chest pain especially if a patient has a known history of heart disease they should be administered a dose of Sorbitrate to relax the blood vessels in the heart and allow better blood flow to the heart muscles If possible this should be given only after checking and making sure the blood pressure is not low since Sorbitrate can further reduce blood pressure In case of a cardiac arrest where the patient is not breathing and has no pulse Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation CPR can be administered according to the guidelines CPR involves chest compressions and rescue breaths to help maintain blood circulation and oxygen supply until professional help arrivesDr Nihar Mehta consultant Cardiology at Jaslok Hospital amp Research CentreEnsure better heart healthDr Nihar Mehta and Dr Praveen Kulkarni suggest Engage in regular physical activities like swimming and yoga and aerobic exercise like brisk walking for at least 30 minutes five times a week Maintain a healthy diet of fruits vegetables whole grains pulses lentils legumes lean proteins and limit the intake of processed foods saturated fats andadded sugars Avoid tobacco and alcohol consumption Manage stress levels through meditation relaxation exercises and maintain good sleep hygiene Regularly monitor blood pressure cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels and immediately seek medical advice if any abnormalities are detected Go for regular cardiac screening every six months People can begin these tests even in their 20s