Know HOW You Can Help BEFORE a Heart Attack Happens

Recently, I have had some more difficult conversations with my parents. The need for these conversations became apparent after we lost my father in law last year. Sometimes it takes a life event (like a death in the family) to make you realize that there are certain conversations you would rather have sooner rather than later. While most of these talks that I have had with my parents over the past couple of months have surrounded around the topic of getting finances in order, the topic of old age and health has also been prevalent.

Having The Talk with a parent or loved one is not an easy conversation. Thinking about it brings upon a wave of emotion from deep within me, however, we cannot and should not always run and hide from difficult situations.

One of the conversations that I highly recommend you have with your aging parents is what to do in the case of a heart attack. You could potentially save a loved one’s life, simply by knowing the options available to you and being prepared.
common signs of a heart attack
Many of us are familiar with the common signs of a heart attack, but are we able to identify ALL of the signs?

It is important to learn and understand the common signs of a heart attack BEFORE you are in a potential situation.

Did you know…
One heart attack occurs every seven minutes in Canada,
with an estimated 70,000 heart attacks annually.

The common signs of a heart attack include:

  • chest discomfort
  • upper body discomfort (including discomfort in the arms, jaw, neck and back)
  • shortness of breath
  • sweating and nausea
  • light-headedness

information shared by Bayer Canada

A recent survey by Vision Critical found that while 75 per cent of Canadians feel they know the signs of a heart attack that only 10 per cent of those were able to correctly identify the correct symptoms when asked. This is scary, especially given our aging population.

What you can do in the event of a heart attack:

  1. call 911
  2. crush or chew two ASPIRIN® 81mg tablets

It can be very difficult to discuss health matters with our friends and loved ones, however it is extremely important to be prepared for specific situations, like a heart attack. The more informed and prepared we are, the more likely we will be able to stay calm enough in a state of emergency to help ourselves or our loved ones.

Sometimes it may be easier to have The Talk in the car (where you don’t have to make eye contact) OR potentially while you are doing an activity that you enjoy (like going for a walk or having coffee together).

Do you have ASPIRIN® 81mg tablets in your First-Aid Box in case of a heart attack?


The statistics shared in this post came from Heartandstroke.ca – Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. Web. 8 Oct. 2014.

This post has been generously sponsored by Bayer Canada, however all opinions are my own and have not been influenced in any way. This blog post contains information, however, please consult your physician or another medical professional for advice if you are at all worried about yourself or someone else’s health. Multi-Testing Mommy will not be held responsible for how you receive, understand or put into practice any of the information shared in this post.

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54 Responses to Know HOW You Can Help BEFORE a Heart Attack Happens

  1. Joanne Donaldson Frank says:

    This is a very scary experience to have happen to someone ..

  2. kathy downey says:

    Thanks for the information,shared with family and friends

  3. Nancy T says:

    Thank you! My dad passed away from a heart attack at the age of 61 almost 9 years ago.

  4. Nancy T says:

    Thank you! My dad passed away from a heart attack at the age of 61 almost 9 years ago.

  5. Louanne B says:

    This is such a great article. Thank you for the information.

  6. elizamatt says:

    I do have aspirin on hand, just to be on the safe side. Since it functions as a blood thinner I don’t use it for anything else. I’ve also recently read that what seems to be indigestion can also be a sign of a heart attack.

  7. Darlene Schuller says:

    I don’t have any one hand but I really need to get some. Heart Attacks are so scary.. my condolences on the loss of your father in law 🙁

  8. Darlene Schuller says:

    I don’t have any one hand but I really need to get some. Heart Attacks are so scary.. my condolences on the loss of your father in law 🙁

  9. Pingback: 6 Mindful Tips for a Better Child Parent Relationship: The Relationship of Aging - Multi-Testing Mommy

  10. Heidi C. says:

    My hubby at the youngish age of 44 had some of these symptoms last year. He shook them off but I insisted that he go to the hospital. Fortunately, he had just experienced an irregular heart rate. But, any of the symptoms that you mentioned should be checked out.

  11. Amber Smith says:

    I’ll be getting some aspirin just to have on hand. Great informative article.

  12. elizamatt says:

    I do have aspirin on hand, just to be on the safe side. Since it functions as a blood thinner I don’t use it for anything else. I’ve also recently read that what appear to be indigestion can also be a sign of a heart attack.

  13. kathy downey says:

    Great informative article.I don’t have any one hand but I really need to get some next time i go our,so sorry for the lost of your father in law

  14. kathy downey says:

    Great informative article.I don’t have any one hand but I really need to get some next time i go our,so sorry for the lost of your father in law

  15. Holly O'Gorman says:

    I have never bought aspirin in my life. I had no idea that it can be used for this.

  16. Judy Cowan says:

    It is an important conversation to have. Thanks for the reminder, I need to pick up some aspirin to have an hand.

  17. Judy Cowan says:

    It is an important conversation to have. Thanks for the reminder, I need to pick up some aspirin to have an hand.

  18. kristen visser says:

    wow a heart attack occurs every 7 mins in Canada!? that is so scary to think about. good to know the common signs tho so you can be prepared. we never have aspirin in the house!!! need to get on that

  19. Elizabeth V says:

    Retired nurse here… so I do have Aspirin 81 in my cupboard. And everyone knows where they are. I keep meaning to put a couple in my purse too.

  20. Gord says:

    With an aging population this only makes sense to keep aspirin at a convenient place.

  21. lp says:

    always good to have reminders. thanks

  22. Carole Dube says:

    Yes we do, my husband take one a day!

  23. Carole Dube says:

    Yes we do, my husband take one a day!

  24. dewinner says:

    Thanks for the post,and we always have the aspirin on hand

  25. dewinner says:

    Thanks for the post,and we always have the aspirin on hand

  26. Nicolthe pickle says:

    I didn’t know you could take Asprin, but I do know the symptoms.

  27. Joni W says:

    heart attacks are scary. recovery long

  28. Sarah Alexis says:

    Yikes…. strange that I’m reading this blog post since last night I just read a facebook post about someone who had the “non-classic” symptoms and it turned out it was a heartattack… so scary!!!!

  29. Heidi C. says:

    It is so important to know these key warning signs, especially as you age.

  30. Heidi C. says:

    It is so important to know these key warning signs, especially as you age.

  31. Lynda Cook says:

    Very serious and trying to get my husband to take a daily asprin, is like pulling teeth, agh men!!

  32. jan says:

    Yet another reminder that I need to purchase Aspirin! I truly keep meaning to since our cousin had an attack at 33.

  33. Diana Powell says:

    Such an informative article . Thank you for posting.

  34. Wanda Tracey says:

    This is fabulous information to know.It also gives us the confidence to get it checked out when we recognize the symptoms.

  35. Cheryl says:

    I don’t have aspirin in my first aid kit but I will after today!! Thanks for the advise.

  36. Debbie White-Beattie says:

    Thanks for all the information. When I try to talk with my mother she always tries to shut me up but I’m going to email this link to her. So again thank you !

  37. Debbie White-Beattie says:

    Thanks for all the information. When I try to talk with my mother she always tries to shut me up but I’m going to email this link to her. So again thank you !

  38. mommakoala says:

    Keep spreading the word. I am a stroke and heart nurse and so many people ignore the symptoms. Thank you.

  39. Krista Miller says:

    Thank goodness no one in my family has experienced a heart attack (yet). I had no idea whatsoever about crushing / chewing two Aspirin. This is great advice to be aware of.

  40. Richard Hicks says:

    SOme really good advice here!

  41. Richard Hicks says:

    SOme really good advice here!

  42. Soozle says:

    Its helpful to know women and men often have different signs of heart attacks – women tending to be more ‘silent’ as far as symptoms go!

  43. Lynda Cook says:

    Great article, I would be so scared if someone was experiencing a heart attack in front of me!!

  44. Cheryl Grandy says:

    I keep aspirin in the kitchen cupboard specifically in case of heart attack, but am concerned I might not recognize a heart attack when I’m seeing/having one. Thanks for providing the list of signs to help me.

  45. jennifer wilson says:

    Great information! It’s good to know what to look out for and that you should chew an aspirin.

  46. Joanne Donaldson Frank says:

    I had to give an aspirin to my mother before and it saved her life

  47. Joanne Donaldson Frank says:

    I had to give an aspirin to my mother before and it saved her life

  48. jonnieh says:

    I will be picking some up this weekend. I have heard this before but needed the reminder. Thank you!

  49. jonnieh says:

    I will be picking some up this weekend. I have heard this before but needed the reminder. Thank you!

  50. Treen Goodwin says:

    we have aspirin in the house always , very good tips , thanks for sharing !

  51. kathy downey says:

    Thanks for providing the list of signs to help us,this post could save a life

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