Hygiene Atlas

Atlas · Plate XIII · Medical Emergencies · 03

Cardiac emergencies

Angina is chest pain under stress, treated with nitroglycerin 0.4 mg under the tongue every 5 minutes, up to three doses, after checking that systolic pressure is above about 90 mmHg. Pain that persists suggests a heart attack: call EMS, have the patient chew 162-325 mg of aspirin if not allergic, and prepare for CPR and the AED. Women, diabetics and older adults often have atypical symptoms.

High-yield facts · 6

  1. Angina: chest pain under stress lasting a few minutes; give nitroglycerin 0.4 mg sublingual (tablet or spray) every 5 min, up to 3 doses.T8
  2. Check BP before nitroglycerin; do not give it if systolic is under about 90 mmHg or after recent PDE-5 inhibitors (sildenafil within 24 h).T8
  3. Suspected MI: pain unrelieved by 3 doses of nitroglycerin, often radiating to the left arm, jaw or back; call EMS.T8S26
  4. MI management: give 162-325 mg chewed aspirin if not allergic, oxygen if hypoxic, keep the patient comfortable, prepare for CPR and the AED.S26T8
  5. Women, diabetics and older patients more often have atypical MI symptoms (fatigue, nausea, shortness of breath).S26
  6. Elective dental care is usually deferred for about 6 months after an MI or stroke and limited for unstable angina.T8T1

Facts are written in our own words; each tag links to its source. Values marked "sources vary" differ between references, so check the one your program uses.