Call 999 over early heart attack symptoms, urges new NHS campaign

A life-saving campaign is being launched by the NHS to urge people to learn how to spot signs of a heart attack.

The survival rate for heart attack sufferers is seven in 10, rising to nine in 10 for those who have early hospital treatment.

The most common sign of a heart attack is chest pain, but other symptoms to look out for include chest, arm, jaw, neck, back and stomach pain, lightheadedness or dizziness, sweating, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, coughing and wheezing.

The health service are encouraging anyone experiencing these indicators to call 999.

It comes after a poll found found that fewer than half of people knew to dial 999 if they or a loved one experienced the more vague signs of a heart attack.

Another priority of the campaign is to teach people how to differentiate between a heart attack and cardiac arrest.

According to the health service, there is often no warning and the person quickly loses consciousness when they suffer cardiac arrest.

Those experiencing a cardiac arrest will usually die within minutes if they do not receive treatment.

It also points out that a heart attack can lead to a cardiac arrest.

NHS medical director Professor Stephen Powis said: “Sadly, cardiovascular disease causes a quarter of all deaths across the country and we have identified this as the single biggest area where we can save lives over the next decade.

Read full story

Source: 13 February 2022