Latest news with #ExternalDefibrillator
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
15-05-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
Is this a heart attack? These are the warning signs every man must know
Have you ever felt a strange tightness in your chest and shrugged it off as gas, fatigue, or just a bad day? You're not alone, but that 'shrug' could be a life-threatening mistake. Men often miss or misread the warning signs of a heart attack. Let's break down what your body is trying to tell you, and exactly what you should do when it happens. According to Dr Sanjeeva Kumar Gupta, Consultant Cardiologist at CK Birla Hospital, the classic signs of a heart attack in men include: Chest pain or pressure (often described as tightness or squeezing) Pain radiating to the arms, jaw, back, or neck Shortness of breath Sweating Nausea or lightheadedness But here's the kicker—many men experience 'silent' symptoms: fatigue, mild chest discomfort, dizziness, or even what feels like bad indigestion. These subtle signals, especially if they occur during exertion or stress, could be your heart waving a red flag. Is it a heart attack or just indigestion or anxiety? Here's how to tell the difference: Indigestion: Usually stays in the upper abdomen and feels like bloating or burning. Anxiety: May cause chest tightness or rapid heartbeat but doesn't involve radiating pain. Heart attack: Often sudden, worsens with exertion, and doesn't ease with rest or antacids. Dr Gupta's advice? 'When in doubt, assume it's cardiac. Don't wait it out.' Do age, fitness, or erectile issues affect heart attack risk? Yes. Even younger or fit men aren't immune. They may experience: Unexplained fatigue Breathlessness Dizziness Which daily habits are silently increasing your heart risk? The usual suspects are: Smoking Junk food Lack of exercise Stress Poor sleep Excess alcohol Chronic stress and sleep deprivation impact blood pressure and heart rhythm. Add in high cholesterol, diabetes, or hypertension, and the risk compounds. Does family history increase your chances of heart disease? Yes. If your father or brother had a heart attack before age 55, your risk rises sharply. Dr Gupta advises starting heart screenings in your 30s: Blood pressure Blood sugar Cholesterol ECG or stress tests What should you do immediately if you think you're having a heart attack? Dr Nishith Chandra, Director of Interventional Cardiology at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, recommends: Recognise the symptoms: Chest pain, nausea, cold sweat, breathlessness. Stop everything: Sit or lie down. Don't move or drive. Call emergency services immediately. Chew an aspirin (300–325 mg) to help restore blood flow. Stay calm: Breathe slowly to reduce panic. How can you prepare your home for a heart emergency? Dr Chandra advises: Keep aspirin handy—bedside, wallet, car, kitchen. Learn hands-only CPR (100–120 chest compressions per minute). Make an emergency card with medical info. Consider an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) if there's family history. Teach your family how to act fast. What is life like after a heart attack, and what to avoid? Dr Chandra outlines: Do's Rest for 2–4 weeks Join cardiac rehab early Follow medication schedule Get medical clearance before resuming work, sex, or exercise Address emotional wellbeing Don'ts Don't rush into heavy work or workouts Don't skip follow-ups Don't stop meds just because you 'feel fine' Don't ignore anxiety or emotional distress When is it safe to return to work, workouts, or sex after a heart attack? Work: Light jobs after 2–3 weeks; heavy labour after 6–8 weeks (with clearance) Exercise: Start walking in week one, rehab in week two; no HIIT without clearance Sex: Usually safe after 2–4 weeks. Rule of thumb: if you can climb two flights of stairs, you're likely fit. Warning: Don't mix ED meds with heart meds without doctor's approval. What heart tests should men do in their 30s, 40s, and 50s? Dr Shimi Pahuja, Consultant Pathologist at Metropolis Healthcare, recommends: In your 30s: Blood pressure Lipid profile Fasting blood sugar Body Mass Index (BMI) In your 40s & 50s: HbA1c High-sensitivity CRP ECG & Exercise Stress Test Troponin & BNP Coronary calcium scan (if family history) Chest X-ray Can a smartwatch help detect heart issues early? Maybe. Many smartwatches track: Irregular heart rate Atrial fibrillation Low physical activity Some also offer ECG apps. They're not diagnostic tools but can prompt timely medical checks. Final word: Don't wait for pain to turn into panic Heart attacks can start quietly—mild chest pressure, fatigue, or just feeling 'off.' Listen to your body. You only get one heart. Don't ignore it.
Fox News
25-04-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Flight crew delayed asking for medical help for man in crisis who later died, lawsuit alleges
A 62-year-old man who suffered an "escalating medical crisis" onboard an American Airlines-affiliated flight died after its crew "delayed requesting medical assistance until after the aircraft had landed, taxied to the gate, and all other passengers had deplaned," a lawsuit says. The filing against American Airlines and its regional carrier Envoy Air in Colorado federal court is seeking at least $75,000 in damages following the death of John Cannon, a passenger from Kentucky who was traveling to Durango-La Plata County Airport. "The untimely passing of John William Cannon on April 29, 2023, was the direct and proximate result of the negligence and fault of the Defendants," reads the lawsuit filed this week on behalf of his son. It claims that American Airlines and Envoy Air "breached their duties of care and were negligent in causing the death" of Cannon by "Failing to give reasonable first aid onboard the aircraft" and "Failing to prioritize John William Cannon in the deboarding process once he exhibited signs of extreme physical distress onboard the aircraft," among other alleged actions. American Airlines told Fox News Digital, "We are reviewing the complaint." Attorneys said leading up to his death, Cannon first boarded a plane from Louisville to Dallas and "during the flight, and/or at the time of deboarding, John suffered a syncopal event" -- or loss of consciousness. "After suffering the event, John was helped to the floor of the jet bridge at Gate 12 in Terminal B of the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Two minutes and fifteen seconds later, John was released to make his connecting flight," it continued. Then on that flight from Dallas to Durango – which was operated by Envoy Air -- Cannon "entered a stage of medical crisis which resulted in him becoming unresponsive," according to the lawsuit. "Despite Mr. Cannon's escalating medical crisis, the AAL4896 flight crew delayed requesting medical assistance until after the aircraft had landed, taxied to the gate, and all other passengers had deplaned," the lawsuit alleged. A flight crew member "called emergency services and reported Mr. Cannon as being in and out of consciousness with labored breathing" and "firefighters with Durango La Plata Fire contacted Mr. Cannon and initiated oxygen treatment prior to removing him from the aircraft with members of an EMS team," it added. "During transport to Mercy Medical Center, Mr. Cannon suffered sinus bradycardia, which progressed to ventricular fibrillation arrest. The ambulance crew performed approximately ten minutes of chest compressions, administered two doses of epinephrine, and delivered multiple Automated External Defibrillator shocks. Despite these interventions, Mr. Cannon did not achieve Return of Spontaneous Circulation," the lawsuit concluded. "The following morning, at 0129 hours, Mr. Cannon was pronounced dead."
