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Avatar universal

SERIOUS question

My husband and I are part of a group of Americans that live out of the country.  We live in the highlands just over a mile above sea level.

Recently, we have had two friends die from heart attacks.  BOTH were somewhat "stable"
prior to being driven down the mountain where help awaited.

My question is this.  Did the drive down the mountain cause a second heart attack which,
in both cases, resulted in death before reaching help.

WHAT should be done in a case like this?  Patient is stable but additional care is needed.

I cannot thank you enough for your answer.
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Avatar universal
Thank you for your kind reply.

We are in the process of putting together a group of individuals who, can use a defib
machine and who are trained in CPR.  After going through the recent losses, we feel this is the best we can do to ensure we have done our best till help arrives or we arrive where there is help.

To answer your question about friends being in an ambulance during the trip/episode.
No, both times- one passed while driving down the mountain and the other died in the ER shortly after the drive down the mountain.  Both were as stable as one could be under
circumstances.

Hence, the question came to mind......Was the drive down the mountain safe or did it add to the problem?  I guess we will never know...

Again, thank you for taking time to respond.
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Avatar universal
It is very common after a heart attack  to continue having issues.  Even if you are determined stable.  Arrhythmias are common, and fatal ones.  If paramedics are on the scene or other emergency personnel, they can give oxygen and transmit EKG's to a hospital and give emergency drugs and all that kind of thing.  Sometimes you can have an MI and then *extend* the MI.  I don't think there is any way to predict who will do what.  Obviously if you are in the hospital sooner the less likely you will die from an arrhythmia.  I had a brother-in-law who was having a heart attack, and was ignoring the symptoms.  Eventually he let his son drive him to the ER, where they put him on a stretcher and then he immediately went into Vtach and had to be zapped.  If he was in transit, he would have probably died.  Were these friends in  an ambulance for their trip?   You might not even have that kind of access to emergency transport.  If not, I would sure try to get it available.  I am so sorry for your losses.
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