Emergency response guide: heart attack response at Livasa Hospitals

This comprehensive guide helps patients, families and caregivers in Punjab understand what to do during a cardiac emergency. It explains heart attack basics, how to recognise symptoms, step-by-step first-aid actions, emergency medical response pathways at Livasa Hospitals and best practices for recovery and prevention. If you are in Punjab and suspect a heart attack, every minute matters — use the phone number +91 80788 80788 or book an appointment for non-emergent cardiology concerns, but for an active emergency call emergency services immediately.

What is a heart attack?

A heart attack, medically known as myocardial infarction, happens when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is suddenly blocked. This is most often due to a blood clot forming on an atherosclerotic plaque within a coronary artery. When a section of the heart muscle is deprived of oxygen-rich blood, the muscle can become irreversibly damaged unless blood flow is restored promptly. A heart attack is a type of cardiac emergency, distinct from cardiac arrest, although the two may occur together.

There are common clinical subtypes:

• ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI): Full-thickness injury to the heart muscle usually due to complete coronary artery occlusion; requires urgent reperfusion (primary PCI or thrombolysis).
• Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI): Partial thickness injury usually due to reduced flow or small-clot occlusion; urgent evaluation and treatment are still required.
• Unstable angina: Chest pain due to coronary artery disease without measurable cardiac enzyme rise but with high short-term risk of a heart attack.

Causes and triggers include long-term atherosclerotic disease, sudden plaque rupture, severe coronary artery spasm, or an embolus. Acute stress, uncontrolled hypertension, heavy physical exertion in sedentary people, cocaine use and severe anemia or infection may precipitate an acute event. In Punjab and across India, traditional risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and sedentary lifestyle contribute substantially to the burden of heart attack emergencies.

How to recognise heart attack symptoms

Recognising heart attack symptoms quickly is the first step to saving heart muscle and lives. Classic symptoms include persistent chest discomfort, pressure, heaviness, squeezing or burning that may last for minutes and may radiate to the left arm, neck, jaw or back. However, symptoms vary widely by age, sex and medical history — and some people have minimal or atypical symptoms.

Typical symptoms:

• Central chest pain or tightness that lasts more than a few minutes
• Pain radiating to the left arm, shoulder, jaw, neck, or back
• Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort
• Sweating, lightheadedness, nausea or vomiting

Atypical presentations are important to know, particularly in Punjab where diabetes and older age are common:

• Women often report non‑specific symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, fatigue or shortness of breath rather than intense chest pain.
• Elderly patients may have confusion, syncope (fainting) or minimal pain.
• People with diabetes may have "silent" heart attacks with little or no pain because of neuropathy.

If you notice any of these symptoms, especially sudden chest pain or severe shortness of breath, treat it as a cardiac emergency. In Punjab, many patients delay hospital arrival; timely recognition and prompt action — calling local emergency services or heading to a nearby emergency heart care centre such as Livasa Mohali, Livasa Amritsar, Livasa Hoshiarpur or Livasa Khanna — can preserve heart function and reduce mortality.

What to do immediately: first aid steps for a suspected heart attack

Acting promptly during the first minutes after symptom onset is crucial. The following step-by-step actions are intended for laypersons and caregivers. When in doubt, assume cardiac origin and seek emergency help.

1. Call emergency services immediately: Dial your local emergency number. In Punjab, if an ambulance is needed, request an advanced life support ambulance or a hospital ambulance to the nearest Livasa centre. Also call +91 80788 80788 for guidance on route and triage to Livasa Hospitals.
2. Make the patient comfortable: Have them sit or lie down in a semi‑upright position. Avoid exertion or unnecessary movement.
3. Give aspirin if not allergic: If the person is conscious and can chew, give 150–325 mg of non‑enteric aspirin to chew. Aspirin helps limit clot growth in many acute coronary syndromes. Do not give aspirin to those with known aspirin allergy or active bleeding.
4. Use prescribed sublingual nitroglycerin if available: If the patient has nitrates prescribed and is not hypotensive, administer as directed. Do not give nitrate if the patient took sildenafil or other nitrates in the past 24–48 hours.
5. Monitor breathing and consciousness: If the person becomes unresponsive, check breathing. If breathing is absent or abnormal, begin CPR immediately and request an AED (automated external defibrillator) if available.
6. Collect important information: Note the time symptoms began, any medications (especially antiplatelets, anticoagulants, nitrates), allergies, past heart history, and any chronic illnesses like diabetes or hypertension. Share this with emergency responders or the Livasa team to speed treatment.

Some specific tips for those in Punjab: know your nearest Livasa centre for emergency cardiology — reach out to Livasa Mohali or Livasa Amritsar in advance to understand ambulance network and referral routes. Communities with faster ambulance arrival and bystander action see better outcomes.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use of AED

When a heart attack progresses to cardiac arrest, immediate resuscitation can save life. Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops pumping effectively, often due to ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia. Bystander CPR and early defibrillation are the two most important determinants of survival until advanced care arrives.

Basic steps for bystander CPR (adult):

• Ensure scene safety and call emergency services.
• Check responsiveness and breathing. If absent/abnormal, start chest compressions immediately.
• Compress at a rate of 100–120/minute and depth of at least 5–6 cm, allow full chest recoil. Minimise interruptions.
• If trained, provide rescue breaths at a ratio of 30 compressions to 2 breaths; otherwise, hands‑only CPR is effective and recommended for untrained bystanders.
• Use an AED as soon as available. Follow voice prompts and deliver a shock if advised; continue CPR between shocks.

Studies consistently show that bystander CPR can double or triple a person's chance of survival from out‑of‑hospital cardiac arrest. In regions where public awareness and AED availability are limited, survival is lower — which is why Livasa Hospitals promotes community training and rapid response pathways across Mohali, Amritsar, Hoshiarpur and Khanna.

Emergency hospital care: triage, diagnosis and reperfusion strategies

Once the patient reaches the emergency department, the aim is rapid diagnosis and initiation of reperfusion therapy for patients with occlusive coronary disease. The standard sequence includes rapid triage, immediate 12‑lead ECG, blood tests (cardiac troponins), oxygen and pain control as needed and activation of the cath lab for suspected STEMI.

Time metrics are critical:

• Door-to-ECG: within 10 minutes of arrival.
• Door-to-balloon (primary PCI): Ideally within 90 minutes for primary PCI-capable centres.
• Door-to-needle (thrombolysis): Within 30 minutes if primary PCI is not available and the patient is eligible.

Two main reperfusion strategies:

In Punjab, timely transfer to a PCI-capable hospital like Livasa Mohali or Livasa Amritsar significantly improves outcomes for STEMI patients. If primary PCI cannot be performed within guideline-recommended times, thrombolysis should be given without delay and followed by transfer for evaluation (pharmaco-invasive strategy).

Cardiac arrest versus heart attack: key differences and treatments

People sometimes confuse heart attack and cardiac arrest. A heart attack is a circulation problem: blockage in a coronary artery causing heart muscle damage. Cardiac arrest is an electrical problem: the heart suddenly stops pumping due to arrhythmia. A heart attack can cause a cardiac arrest if the electrical stability of the heart is lost.

Treatments differ:

• Heart attack: Diagnosis with ECG and cardiac markers; treat with aspirin, oxygen if hypoxic, analgesics, antiplatelets, anticoagulants and urgent reperfusion (PCI or thrombolysis).
• Cardiac arrest: Immediate CPR and defibrillation, advanced airway and medications per advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) protocols. Post‑resuscitation care includes targeted temperature management and urgent coronary evaluation if the arrest was cardiac in origin.

Survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is generally low globally, often in the single digits as a percentage. However, coordinated community response with early bystander CPR and rapid defibrillation can raise survival substantially. Livasa Hospitals’ emergency cardiology teams train with local EMS to improve chain-of-survival performance across Punjab.

Post‑heart attack care and cardiac rehabilitation

Surviving an acute heart attack is the start of a recovery journey. Post‑MI care aims to stabilise the patient, prevent complications and reduce risk of recurrence. This includes medications, lifestyle changes and a structured cardiac rehabilitation programme.

Typical medical therapies started after heart attack include:

• Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT): usually aspirin plus a P2Y12 inhibitor for a defined period after PCI or stent placement.
• Statins: High‑intensity statins to stabilise plaques and lower cholesterol.
• Beta-blockers: To reduce heart workload and arrhythmia risk.
• ACE inhibitors/ARBs: To protect the heart and lower blood pressure.
• Other medications: For comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension, and for symptoms like heart failure.

Cardiac rehabilitation is a multi-disciplinary programme covering exercise prescription, nutrition, risk-factor control, psychosocial support and education. Evidence shows that participation in cardiac rehabilitation reduces mortality, improves functional capacity and enhances quality of life. Livasa Hospitals provide tailored cardiac rehab services at centres in Punjab to guide safe, graded return to activity and long-term risk reduction.

Prevention: controlling risk factors to avoid future heart attacks

Preventive cardiology is critical. Many heart attacks are preventable by addressing modifiable risks. In Punjab, high prevalence of tobacco use, diabetes and hypertension means targeted community prevention is vital. Prevention strategies are both individual and population-based.

Key prevention measures:

• Quit tobacco: Smoking and smokeless tobacco markedly increase coronary disease risk. Seek cessation support.
• Control diabetes and blood pressure: Maintain targets through medication, diet and monitoring.
• Manage cholesterol: Lifestyle plus statin therapy when indicated.
• Healthy lifestyle: Regular aerobic exercise, balanced diet, weight control and limiting alcohol.
• Regular screening: Especially for high-risk groups — people with family history, diabetes, hypertension or prior coronary disease.

Community efforts in Punjab — tobacco control, diabetes camps, blood pressure screening and public education on chest pain — reduce the incidence of myocardial infarction emergencies. Livasa Hospitals participate in awareness drives and community screening in Mohali, Amritsar, Hoshiarpur and Khanna to lower the regional burden of cardiac events.

Why choose Livasa Hospitals for emergency cardiology in Punjab

When a heart attack occurs, choosing a capable emergency cardiology centre is essential. Livasa Hospitals operate dedicated emergency cardiology services in Punjab with a clear focus on rapid triage, advanced interventions and coordinated post‑discharge care. Our network includes Livasa Mohali, Livasa Amritsar, Livasa Hoshiarpur and Livasa Khanna, and we offer 24/7 heart attack emergency response.

Key components of Livasa’s heart attack response:

• 24/7 emergency cardiology and cath lab: Ready to perform emergency PCI with experienced interventional cardiologists.
• Rapid triage and ECG on arrival: Ensures door‑to‑balloon goals and appropriate reperfusion decisions.
• Integrated ambulance and transfer pathways: Fast transfer protocols from surrounding towns to Livasa centres across Punjab to minimise treatment delays.
• Post-MI ICU and cardiac rehab: Multidisciplinary care for stabilization, secondary prevention and rehabilitation.
• Community education and training: Bystander CPR training and public awareness programmes to improve chain-of-survival.

For immediate assistance or to discuss emergency cardiology arrangements in your area, contact Livasa Hospitals at +91 80788 80788 or book an appointment. If you or someone near you is experiencing chest pain or symptoms of a heart attack in Punjab, do not delay — call emergency services and head to the nearest Livasa emergency cardiology facility.

Local statistics and why timeliness matters

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death globally and is a major health burden in India and Punjab. Global estimates from the World Health Organization place cardiovascular deaths at nearly 18 million annually. In India, ischemic heart disease is consistently a top cause of mortality and disability — accounting for a substantial proportion of premature deaths. In Punjab, high prevalence of risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes and tobacco use contributes to elevated rates of heart disease and myocardial infarction emergencies.

Why timeliness matters:

• Every minute counts: The amount of heart muscle saved is proportional to speed of reperfusion. Delays increase the extent of permanent damage and the risk of complications like heart failure.
• Early treatment reduces mortality: Rapid reperfusion (primary PCI when available) and early supportive care substantially reduce short‑ and long‑term death.
• Community measures improve outcomes: Increasing availability of AEDs, expanding ambulance networks and public CPR training in Punjab directly impacts survival from cardiac arrest and heart attack complications.

Livasa Hospitals’ emphasis on rapid response, public education and comprehensive post‑MI care is designed to reduce the local burden of myocardial infarction emergency and improve survival and quality of life across Punjab.

Frequently asked questions

Below are concise answers to common concerns related to heart attack emergency and care.

• Q: What should I do if someone has mild chest pain?
  A: Treat it seriously. Call emergency services if chest pain is new, unexplained or accompanied by other symptoms (shortness of breath, sweating, nausea). If available and not contraindicated, chew aspirin while waiting for help.
• Q: Can a heart attack occur without chest pain?
  A: Yes. Particularly in women, the elderly and diabetic patients. Symptoms may be atypical; seek care for sudden unexplained breathlessness, fainting or persistent fatigue.
• Q: Is it safe to drive a person having a heart attack to the hospital?
  A: It is safer to call emergency services. Ambulances provide monitoring and immediate resuscitation if needed. If an ambulance is unavailable, reach the nearest emergency centre quickly but avoid unnecessary delays.
• Q: How quickly should I receive treatment?
  A: For STEMI, guidelines aim for door-to-balloon time within 90 minutes when PCI is available; door-to-needle time within 30 minutes for thrombolysis when PCI is delayed or not available.