Learn First Aid

• Section One: Introduction

  • Unit 1: What is First Aid?
  • Unit 2: Universal precautions and personal safety
  • Unit 3: How the body works

• Section Two: Basic Emergency Care

  • Unit 4: Emergency Scene Management
  • Unit 5: Casualty management and primary survey
  • Unit 6: The casualty who is not breathing normally
  • Unit 7: Choking
  • Unit 8: Wounds and bleeding
  • Unit 9: Shock
  • Unit 10: The recovery position
  • Unit 11: Head to Toe (secondary) survey
  • Unit 12: Ongoing casualty care
  • Unit 13: Moving the casualty

• Section Three: Accident Care

  • Unit 14: Near drowning
  • Unit 15: Burns and scalds
  • Unit 16: Soft tissue injuries: strains and sprains
  • Unit 17: Fractures and dislocations
  • Unit 18: Head and spinal injuries
  • Unit 19: Eye injuries
  • Unit 20: Poisoning
  • Unit 21: Bites and stings

• Section Four: Medical Emergency Care

  • Unit 22: Heart attack and angina
  • Unit 23: Stroke
  • Unit24: Fainting
  • Unit 25: Epileptic seizures
  • Unit26: Fever
  • Unit 27: Effects of heat and cold
  • Unit 28: Dehydration
  • Unit 29: Massive allergic reaction
  • Unit30: Asthma
  • Unit 31: Low blood sugar (Hypoglycaemia)
  • Unit 32: Emergency Childbirth
  • Unit 33: Common Infectious Diseases
  • Unit 34: HIV Aids

What is a heart attack and angina?

At the end of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Explain what angina is and what a heart attack is
2. List causes of angina and heart attack
3. Recognise signs and symptoms of angina and heart attack, and tell the difference between the two
4. Demonstrate appropriate treatment for angina and heart attack
5. Demonstrate an appropriate attitude towards the casualty (eg. reassuring, caring, firm)
6. List possible ways to prevent angina/heart attack
   

 

What is a heart attack and angina?

Oxygen is given to the heart by the blood in four main arteries. These arteries easily become blocked because of cholesterol (contained in fatty foods), which builds up slowly over many years. Heart disease is when an artery carrying blood and oxygen to the heart becomes narrower (thinner/smaller) because of a build up of cholesterol on the walls of the artery, and it is harder for the blood (and the oxygen) to get through to the heart.
Angina is caused by too little oxygen getting to the heart, usually when a person with narrowed arteries uses more effort than he or she normally does, such as by running.
If a blood clot forms in the blood, the narrowed artery is then too thin to allow the clot through, and so very little blood (and oxygen) can get to the heart. The heart can no longer beat properly, and may beat wildly or irregularly or stop altogether. There is also pain. This is a heart attack.
In some cases, someone may have a heart attack even though the artery is not blocked. It is not clear why this happens.
Heart Health
Heart attacks are more common in people who eat too many foods with too much fat in them, who are overweight and do not exercise regularly. Someone who smokes is more likely to have a heart attack.

 

 

The cornea is extremely sensitive – it has morenerve endings than any other part of the body.

The cornea plays a very important role. It is like a window, protecting the eye and keeping it clean, but it also helps the eye to focus (see clearly). In most cases, damage to the cornea cannot be made better again – the cells will not grow back, or scar tissue may form, affecting sight.
Behind the iris are many other parts to the eye which we need so that we can see – including nerves which connect the eye to the brain. Any object which goes through the surface of the eye is likely to cause damage to these parts.