Cardiac Conditions

Overview

Cardiac conditions can range from chest pain through to cardiac arrest. First aid focuses on early recognition, calling 000, and starting CPR and AED use if the person arrests.

Condition	What It Means	First Aid Priority
Angina	Chest discomfort from reduced blood flow, often relieved by rest or medicine	Stop activity and follow the person's plan
Heart attack	Blocked blood flow causing heart muscle injury	Call 000 and monitor closely
Cardiac arrest	Unresponsive and not breathing normally	CPR and AED immediately

Warning Signs

• Chest pain, pressure, tightness, heaviness, or discomfort
• Pain spreading to the arm, neck, jaw, back, or shoulder
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating, nausea, dizziness, or pale skin
• Sudden collapse or loss of responsiveness

First Aid for Chest Pain

• Stop activity and sit the person in a comfortable position.
• Reassure them and loosen tight clothing.
• Help them take prescribed angina medicine if they have it.
• Call 000 if symptoms are severe, new, prolonged, or not improving.
• Give aspirin only if the person is not allergic, has no contraindication, and this is within your training or workplace protocol.
• Monitor breathing and responsiveness.

If Cardiac Arrest Occurs

• Follow DRSABCD.
• Start CPR if the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally.
• Apply an AED as soon as possible and follow its prompts.
• Continue CPR until ambulance arrives, the AED tells you to stop, or the person shows clear signs of recovery.