Long-Term Care

Spotting heart attacks in your residents

LTC Nursing Assistant Trainer, January 29, 2004

Heart attacks strike approximately 1.5 million Americans each year. A blockage of one or more of the coronary arteries causes these attacks. Heart attacks affect different people differently. For instance, for some, the attack is quick and fatal while others may be left with a chronic, disabling health condition. And still others recover completely from the attack.

As we age, our likelihood of suffering from a heart attack increases. That's why it's important to remind CNAs how to spot an attack by learning these common symptoms of a heart attack:

For men

  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Pain that radiates to the left arm or both arms
  • Shortness of breath
  • Diaphoresis (heavy perspiration)

For women

  • Nausea
  • Shortness of breath
  • Pain in the jaw, ear, neck, shoulder, or back
  • Feeling of intense anxiety

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