How Can Cardiogenic Shock Be Prevented?
The best way to prevent cardiogenic shock is to do
as much as you can to lower your risk for heart disease and
prevent
a heart attack. (See the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's
"Your
Guide to a Healthy Heart.")
If you have a heart attack, you should get immediate
treatment to try to prevent cardiogenic shock and other possible
complications.
- Act in time. Know the
warning
signs of a heart attack so you can act fast to get treatment. Many heart
attack victims wait 2 hours or more after their symptoms begin before they seek
medical help. Delay in seeking treatment increases the chances of complications
and death.
- If you think you're having a heart attack, or if
you have
angina
(chest pain or discomfort) that doesn't go away as usual when you take your
angina medicine as directed, call 911 for help. You can begin to
receive life-saving treatment as soon as medical personnel arrive.
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