EMS Care EMT Chapter 24-MCIT-F3-2119 | Cardiac Emergencies  starts with an introduction to this important topic. When EMTs encounter this vital emergency, their skills with respect to assessment, and timely intervention plays a crucial role in saving a life. This course deals with cardiac anatomy and physiology, evaluation of cardiac emergencies, treatment protocols, initial steps, application of high quality CPR and AED. The lessons covered are

• Lesson 1:  Basic Cardiac Anatomy and Physiology
• Lesson 2:  Overview of Common Cardiac Emergencies
• Lesson 3:  Assessment of Cardiac Emergencies for EMTs
• Lesson 4: EMT Treatment of Cardiac Emergencies
• Lesson 5: Cardiac Arrest Recognition and Initial Actions
• Lesson 6: High-Quality CPR and AED Use
• Lesson 7: Special Considerations in Cardiac Emergencies
• Lesson 8: Pediatric Cardiac Emergencies and Arrest

 

Excerpt from EMS Care EMT Chapter 24-MCIT-F3-2119 | Cardiac Emergencies 

Recognizing life-threatening cardiac symptoms is a key skill. In acute coronary syndrome, look for persistent chest discomfort, often with associated shortness of breath, nausea, or lightheadedness. Heart failure and pulmonary edema may present with severe breathlessness, sometimes with pink, frothy sputum. Lethal arrhythmias might cause palpitations, near-syncope, or sudden loss of consciousness. Signs of cardiogenic shock include hypotension, altered mental status, and poor perfusion. When encountering these symptoms, be prepared for rapid intervention and transport. It’s crucial to note that patients experiencing severe cardiac events often express a sense of impending doom, stating they feel like they’re dying. This ominous feeling frequently precedes actual cardiac arrest. These statements and the aforementioned symptoms should be considered serious red flags. Vigilance in recognizing and responding to these warning signs can be life-saving.

While focusing on cardiac causes is important, remember that other conditions can mimic cardiac emergencies. Chest pain might be due to pulmonary issues like pneumothorax or pulmonary embolism. Gastrointestinal problems, like severe heartburn, can sometimes feel like a heart attack. Panic attacks can present similarly to cardiac events. Your job isn’t to make a definitive diagnosis, but understanding these possibilities helps you perform a thorough assessment and communicate effectively with advanced providers. When in doubt, treating a situation as a potential cardiac emergency is always safer. This concludes this lesson, and next, we will discuss the EMT Treatment of Cardiac Emergencies.