NHS England is running a fresh phase of the Help Us, Help You campaign to increase earlier diagnosis of heart attacks by encouraging people to act more quickly on symptoms.
Each year thousands of people across England will experience a heart attack. Heart and circulatory disease, also known as cardiovascular disease (CVD), causes a quarter of all deaths in the UK1 and is the largest cause of premature mortality in deprived areas. This is the single biggest area where the NHS can save lives over the next 10 years.
Unfortunately, there is evidence that many do not fully understand the symptoms of a heart attack. While people act upon chest pain, heart attacks manifest themselves in different ways and the symptoms don’t always seem severe, leading people to ignore how they’re feeling and be much less likely to act.
Symptoms of a heart attack can include:
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Heart attack
Early signs of a heart attack
Pain that spreads from your chest to your arms, jaw, neck, back and tummy
Chest pain - a feeling of pressure, heaviness, tightness or squeezing across your chest
Feeling light-headed or dizzy, uneasy, sick, sweaty, or short of breath
A heart attack is a medical emergency. If you think you or someone else may be having a heart attack, don't delay. Call 999 immediately.
Other less obvious symptoms can be:
- An overwhelming feeling of anxiety (similar to a panic attack)
- Coughing or wheezing
NHS England conducted a survey to determine the public’s knowledge of heart attack symptoms. Findings show that:
- Nearly half (45%) of those surveyed are not confident that they could recognise the signs of a heart attack. This figure rises to over half (51%)in those that are aged 55 or over, who are actually more at risk.
- Less than half of respondents are aware of often overlooked symptoms of a heart attack.
- Nearly three-quarters (72%) of respondents say they are unaware of the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest, with only 1 in 5 (19%) confident they could differentiate between the symptoms heart attack and cardiac arrest.
- Over a third (37%) of respondents would not call 999 if they or a loved one was displaying chest pain – which is a key symptom of a heart attack.
- Only 1 in 5 (16%) were aware that heart attack symptoms can last up to a few days.
That’s why the NHS is working to encourage everyone to learn how to recognise the potential signs of a heart attack, so that if you, or somebody you’re with, experiences any symptoms, you know how to access help as quickly as possible.
A heart attack is a serious medical emergency in which the supply of blood to the heart is suddenly blocked, usually by a blood clot. A lack of blood to the heart may seriously damage the heart muscle and can be life threatening.
A heart attack is not a cardiac arrest, but it can lead to one. Unlike cardiac arrest which causes the heart to stop, if someone is having a heart attack, they are usually conscious. Heart attack symptoms and signs can vary from person to person.
Despite heart attacks more frequently affecting men, around 30,000 women are admitted to hospital following a heart attack each year in the UK. Women’s risk of a heart attack increases after the menopause, so it’s really important to know these symptoms and take them seriously.
People’s chances of surviving a heart attack are far higher if they seek care earlier – overall around 7 in 10 people survive a heart attack, which increases to more than 9 in 10 for those who reach hospital early to receive treatment.
Every moment that passes during a heart attack increases heart muscle damage and nearly all of this damage occurs in the first few hours of an attack, so it is crucial that symptoms of a heart attack are dealt with as soon as possible.
If you think you or somebody, you’re with is having a heart attack, don’t be tempted to dismiss the signs or wait to see what happens. The faster you act, the better their chances. It’s never too early to call 999 and check.
TV GP Dr Chris George has joined the campaign in an effort to encourage awareness of the signs, creating a new film with NHS England. In the film, Dr Chris took to the streets to investigate the general public’s knowledge of heart attacks and met with two survivors – Asif and Gemma – for a ‘heart to heart’ to hear about the symptoms they experienced.
Dr Chris George believes that it’s important for people to be able to recognise the potential signs of a heart attack and are aware of the need to act.
For more information, please take a look at the following websites:
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What is a heart attack?
A heart attack happens when there's a sudden restriction in the heart's blood supply.
What are the symptoms?A heart attack can cause a variety of symptoms but most often:
- Chest pain, a sensation of pressure, heaviness, tightness or squeezing across the chest.
- A feeling of unease, like a panic attack.
Other symptoms may include pain spreading through the arms, jaw, neck, back or tummy, feeling lightheaded or dizzy, sweating, shortness of breath, feeling sick or being sick, coughing or wheezing.
Although the chest pain is often severe, some people may only experience minor pain, similar to indigestion. It's important to act straight away.
What to do?
Call 999 immeliately
If you think someone might be having a heart attack, call 999. Even if symptoms are mild, it's much better to call straight away. This is never wasting NHS time.
Give aspirin
While waiting for an ambulance, it may help to chew and then swallow a tablet of aspirin (ideally 300mg). Only do this if it is within reach and you don't have to leave the person's side. and they are not allergic to aspirin.
Keep the person calm
Lastly, try and calm the person down so they don't put strain on their heart.
It's never too early to call 999 and describe the symptoms.
Visit www.nhs.uk/heartattack for more information.