Fainting/syncope
- Is a brief loss of consciousness that is caused by temporary reduction of blood flow to the brain.
- Causes: pain, emotional stress, hunger, prolonged physical inactivity, emotional stress
- The pulse becomes very slow although it soon picks up and returns to normal.
- Recovery is rapid and complete.
Signs and symptoms
3. Angina Pectoris
- A brief loss of consciousness causing the casualty to fall to the floor.
- Slow pulse
- Pale cold skin
- Sweating
- To improve blood flow to the brain
- To reassure as she recovers and make her comfortable
- Lay the casualty down, raise and support her legs
- Make sure that she has plenty of fresh air
- As she recovers, reassure her and help her sit up gradually
- Look for and treat any injury that has been sustained through falling
- If she does not regain consciousness quickly, do ABC and be ready to resuscitate if necessary. If the patient starts to feel faint again tell her to lie down and raise and support her legs until she fully recovers.
- Its constriction of the chest and describes the pain that a person experiences when narrowed coronary arteries are unable to deliver sufficient blood to the heart muscle to meet the demands of exertion or excitement.
- The pain is relieved by rest.
- · Gripping central chest pain, spreading often to the jaw and down to the left arm
- · Shortness of breath
- · Weakness-sudden and extreme anxiety
- · Pain which subsides with rest
- To ease strain on the heart by ensuring that the casualty rests
- To obtain medical help if necessary
- Help the casualty to sit down. make her comfortable and reassure her.
- If the casualty has medicine for angina such as tablets or a “puffer” aerosol let her administer it herself. If necessary, help her to take it.
- Encourage the casualty to rest and keep bystanders away. The attack should ease within a few minutes.
- Monitor and record breathing and pulse rates every ten minutes.
