CRITICAL CARE
By Steve Murphy
A heart attack is a medical emergency – and recognising the symptoms can be the difference between life or death.
I
t pays to know if the heart is malfunctioning and nationally the NHS is encouraging people to call 999 when they are having early signs of a heart attack. Cardiovascular disease is the second biggest killer in England and recognising the symptoms of a heart attack and seeking medical attention early helps nine in ten people survive this potentially deadly emergency. Heart attacks occur when the supply of blood to the heart becomes blocked, which can starve it of oxygen and this can quickly become life threatening. “Often people don’t realise they’re having a heart attack, either because they don’t recognise the early signs, or because they don’t consider them severe enough to trouble the NHS. But make no mistake, a heart attack is a medical emergency, and it’s never too early to call 999 and describe your
TELLING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN...
symptoms,” says Professor Nick Linker, cardiologist and national clinical director for heart disease, NHS England. “Every moment that passes during a heart attack increases heart muscle damage and nearly all of the damage takes place within the first few hours,” he explains. “So, if you experience symptoms such as a sensation of squeezing or tightness across the chest, alongside sweating, nausea or a sense of unease, please call 999 so you have the best chance of a full recovery.”
WOMEN HAVE HEART ATTACKS TOO 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 take these symptoms seriously.
NHS research also shows that whilst 70 per cent of those surveyed understood that pain in the chest is a symptom of a heart attack, just 41 per cent knew sweating was a symptom and only 27 per cent understood feeling weak, lightheaded or a feeling of general unease were also symptoms. “Research has found that women are less likely than men to recognise the symptoms of a heart attack, which can result in them delaying seeking medical attention, reducing their chance of survival,” says Kate Bratt-Farrar, chief executive at Heart Research UK. “Our own data shows that women still have a limited understanding of their own risk of developing coronary heart disease, which is the main cause of a heart attack. This risk also increases after menopause, so knowing the symptoms and getting your blood pressure and cholesterol checked regularly is important.”
CARDIAC ARREST
HEART ATTACK
CALL 999
The person will usually be CONSCIOUS and may experience symptoms including chest pain, dizziness, and shortness of breath. If you think someone is having a heart attack, CALL 999 IMMEDIATELY
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The person will usually be UNCONSCIOUS and not breathing, or not breathing normally. The faster you act, the better their chances of survival. If you think someone is having a cardiac arrest, CALL 999 IMMEDIATELY AND START CPR
