A TV reporter has been assigned to your ambulance for a ride-along. He is doing a segment on the local EMS system for EMS Week. In your down time, the reporter tells you that his wife was diagnosed with atherosclerosis. He is unsure what this condition is and asks you to explain it to him. Your response would be:

Here are some cardiovascular emergencies that EMTs may encounter: Cardiac arrest: When the heart stops pumping blood, leading to loss of consciousness and normal breathing. This can be marked by sudden collapse, absence of pulse, and cessation of breathing. Defibrillation: An electrical shock that restores a normal heart rhythm in someone experiencing cardiac arrest. Bradycardia: A heart rate below 60 beats per minute. Symptomatic bradycardia can include dizziness, feeling faint upon standing, shortness of breath, and a low heart rate. Tachycardia: A heart rate above 100 beats per... Show more

Here are some cardiovascular emergencies that EMTs may encounter:
Cardiac arrest: When the heart stops pumping blood, leading to loss of consciousness and normal breathing. This can be marked by sudden collapse, absence of pulse, and cessation of breathing.
Defibrillation: An electrical shock that restores a normal heart rhythm in someone experiencing cardiac arrest.
Bradycardia: A heart rate below 60 beats per minute. Symptomatic bradycardia can include dizziness, feeling faint upon standing, shortness of breath, and a low heart rate.
Tachycardia: A heart rate above 100 beats per minute.
Chest pain: A symptom that can be an indicator of many underlying problems, whether mild or sharp, or simply an aching discomfort.
Dyspnea: Shortness of breath. It can be the primary manifestation of cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, neuromuscular disorders or obesity.
Hypertensive emergencies: An acute, severe elevation in blood pressure accompanied by end-organ compromise.

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