Aspirin is a salicylate and a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). This medication works by stopping platelets from clumping together and forming blood clots that can cause a heart attack or stroke. This is an over-the-counter drug, which means you can buy one from a drugstore or grocery without any prescriptions.
Aspirin is one of the various medicines you should keep handy in your first aid kit or cabinet. It is beneficial if you live with a loved one suffering from high blood pressure.
Why use aspirin for a heart attack?
The majority of heart attacks are caused by the rupture of a cholesterol-laden plaque in a coronary artery. Smaller plaques that cause only partial blockages are the most likely to break. When they do, platelets are drawn to their surface. Platelets are little blood cells that cause blood coagulation. On the ruptured plaque, a clot, or thrombus, forms. The artery is blocked as the clot expands. If the blockage is total, a section of the heart muscle is deprived of oxygen. As a result, muscle cells die, and a heart attack occurs.
Aspirins need to be chewed, not swallowed, for the NSAID to work. The tablet needs to be chewed for 30 seconds, as Harvard Health finds it the best and fastest way to treat a heart attack.
As such, make sure to join our class from now on. Aside from learning CPR training in Central, Illinois, you will also learn other life-saving tips and tricks, such as knowing which medicines to use in emergencies.
First aid training for heart attacks is often taught here at Friendly Training. Join us for a class today and learn life-saving skills.
We also offer AED training in Southern, Illinois.
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