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Missing the Signs of a Heart Attack
In August of 2009, the employees of our facility watched in horror as one of our own lay on the floor unable to move. Our colleague (we’ll call him “A.L.”) had fallen and hit his head. He was bleeding and semi conscious. No one knew to what extent his injuries were.
Several employees had completed the American Heart Association First Aid/CPR program just two weeks earlier. They were prepared to do whatever was necessary to help. But following the instructions of the 911 operator, no one dared move him. Instead they did their best to make him comfortable and calmly assured him that help was on the way. Our day ended sadly when we learned that A.L. had died.
Missing the Signs of a Heart Attack
Later we learned that A.L.’s fall was the result of his having a heart attack. How did this happen? Were there not signs? Why wasn’t anyone aware that our friend was in trouble? Shouldn’t someone have known?
As it turns out, we all sorta-kinda knew. You see, A.L. shared his symptoms with those around him, only he gave just bits and pieces to each of us. In the days that followed his death we put the pieces together. A big picture emerged in front of us just like the finished product of a jigsaw puzzle. Here are the pieces:
1. Just like any of us, A.L. was stressed and had been for some time and, as friends do, he’d shared his troubles with his close friends.
2. A.L. had heartburn – every day for quite some time. I’m not sure if he was ever diagnosed with Acid Reflux or not but I had been. A.L. and I shared antacids back and forth as if they were gum. In fact, he called me that morning and asked if I could share a few tablets with him to carry him through the day. “No problem,” I replied. “I have a fresh bottle.”
3. We had a company cook-out that day and A.L., a man who ate with a flourish, managed to eat, but seemed not to enjoy it as much as he normally did. Instead, he ate as if it were a chore.
4. He mentioned after lunch that he was full and short of breath. But hey, we’re in Atlanta and it’s August and we’re working.
5. He told another co-worker he was feeling blah, had no energy and felt lazy.
6. A.L. complained that he was hot and was sweating a lot. But then again, A.L. was a big fellow and a major sweater. And, as I said, we’re in Atlanta, it’s August and we’re working. He took a 15 minute break, drank some water and came back to work saying all was good.
If you look closely, you can see A.L. displayed many signs that should have sent up a red flag. But he made his “complaints” (for lack of a better word) to many different people and over an 8-hour period.
Our Job Goes Beyond Safety Training
Can I make sure this never happens again? Unfortunately, no. But I can provide information to our employees on a wide topic of information that is safety related but not just “work safety” related.
I firmly believe that there’s more to my job than what OSHA requires, and the further you explore these teaching options the more satisfied you may find yourself with your job.
Through newsletters, bulletin postings, attachments to paychecks, etc. we safety professionals have the power to open doors and impart knowledge that may prevent injury, disability or death outside the workplace.
Whenever I tackle topics outside the world of “work safety,” I always get positive feedback from the employees and that just makes me want to work harder and be better at what I already do very well.
Address Heart Safety in February
February is the month of love, or so they say. Valentine’s is one of those holidays you can take or leave, depending on which side of the fence you happen to be standing.
Why not work around the Cupid this year and work on the heart. There’s a lot of credible information out there on the web. Put it on a huge heart on the bulletin board, staple a copy to your pay checks, drop a copy at every one’s work station or mail it to your employees’ significant others, letting them know you care about their safety also.
Conclusion
I can honestly say I don’t care if I have to call 911 for any employee who, after reading one of my heart safety postings, might suspect he or she is experiencing a heart attack. If I can provide information that makes folks stop and think, I may help prevent another untimely death.
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Thankfully our story has the opposite ending.
Employee #1 is a hard worker and always keeping busy. On this day, he wasn’t feeling well. He spent some time sitting – resting. He didn’t have any pain, but wanted to be alone and “ride it out”. His crew supervisor watched him during the morning, and then put him in a truck and took him to the hospital. On the way he had a pain shoot through his body that scared the supervisor. Fortunately they were pulling into the hospital at that moment. #1 had heart surgery to save his life.
Employee#2 just felt like his heart was racing. He told a couple of people and stated he was going to his truck to lay down and rest for a moment. As gossip does, the word went around the job site that #2 was laying down in his truck. Another employee went to the truck to talk to #2. While asking questions, he reached up and felt his neck was cold and clammy. This employee went to the supervisor and told him that he was calling 911. It was not a request or a suggestion. The supervisor was being notified of the action taken.
Paramedics arrived and transported #2 to the hospital. An overnight stay allowed him to return to work the next week, and he had new medications for his heart troubles.
I believe our annual refresher training gave these employees the knowledge and confidence to take command of the situations and certainly in one case, save a life.
It is scary how often we overlook the small signs that can save a life. An employee on the office came to work and shortly afterwards told a co-worker that she was feeling pressure in her chest and her right arm was tingly and numb and asked her if she should be worried. The co-worker sat her down and immediately cam to me. I am CPR trained and assessed the situation sent one employee for the AED and immediately dialed 911. As soon as the call was made the AED was set up on the employee. THe employee is now being tested for heart problems and has not been able to return to work yet. A life was saved. Thank God for CPR training. I am a firm believer that everyone shoudl have some CPR training because you never know when you may be the only one around to help someone.