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Cardiologist Dr. Alok Chopra shares life-saving tips on how to respond to a sudden heart attack when immediate medical help isn’t available.
Chest compressions help maintain circulation during cardiac arrest.
Amidst a growing number of heart diseases and cardiac arrests observed in the world, cardiologist Dr Alok Chopra provided a step-by-step guide on how to save a person during a heart attack. In an Instagram video shared on August 31, Dr Chopra was seen talking on the Impact Stories podcast, where he recommended these six life-saving tips to help a person overcome a sudden heart attack when immediate medical assistance is not possible.
Cardiologist’s Step-By-Step Guide During Heart Attack
- STEP 1: Ensure all the people gathered around the patient disperse to let the air sneak through and ease the patient’s breathing struggle.
- STEP 2: Next up, sit down and straddle the patient, laying them down with legs stretched in opposite directions. “Typically, I am on my knees, pressing my entire weight down. The only way this can happen is by straddling the patient to apply maximum pressure,” said Dr Chopra.
- STEP 3: Make sure the sternum is compressed at least 3 to 6 inches. The patient may suffer a rib fracture or other injury because of this, but that can be cured later on.
- STEP 4: If the person is approaching fatality, their colour will start to change and appear bluish or darkish. When the natural skin shade starts restoring itself on the body, the person is getting better.
- STEP 5: Don’t stop, continue helping the patient with your best efforts. A minute of pressing may not be enough to safeguard the individual.
- STEP 6:If the person does not recover within five to ten minutes, it is clear that they are deceased.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
Dr Chopra’s recommendations entail a series of chest compressions, called Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Since heart attacks are caused by the formation of blood clots and the blockage of arteries, chest compressions help manually pump blood through the heart and maintain circulation in case of a cardiac arrest.
During a CPR, a helping hand is required to press the patient’s chest hard for about 100 to 120 times while also providing timely rescue breaths. Individuals trained in giving CPR start by giving 30 chest compressions before giving two rescue breaths.
Delhi, India, India
September 07, 2025, 16:44 IST
