Published on: 21 February 2022
The NHS has launched a new lifesaving campaign to encourage people to dial 999 when they are having early signs of a heart attack.
Heart and circulatory disease, also known as cardiovascular disease, causes a quarter of all deaths in the UK and is one of the largest causes of premature mortality in deprived areas.
The NHS is encouraging everybody to recognise the potential signs of a heart attack, so if you or somebody you’re with experiences any symptoms, you know how to access help as quickly as possible.
There are more than 80,000 hospital heart attack admissions in England every year. The overall survival rate for people experiencing a heart attack is seven in 10 and this increases to nine in 10 for those who come forward for early hospital treatment.
The early signs of a heart attack can vary and may not always feel severe. The most common symptoms include squeezing across the chest and a feeling of unease.
Dr Jasper Trevelyan, Consultant Cardiologist and Divisional Director for Speciality Medicine at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We treat almost 1000 patients with heart attacks at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust per year, and perform 1100 coronary angioplasty procedures (balloon dilatation of a heart artery and insertion of a stent).
“The importance of early recognition of a heart attack cannot be over-stated, and signs such as a squeezing chest discomfort, often associated with sweating, should not be ignored. Early diagnosis of heart attacks leads to better treatments for patients and improved long term outcomes.
“It is also important for patients who have suffered a heart attack to have long term lifestyle and tablet treatments to reduce their future risk of recurrent heart attacks – those treatments have the greatest effect on long term survival and are the major reason why rates in the UK have been reducing for many years.”
New research reveals that just 41% of those surveyed knew sweating was a sign of a heart attack, and only 27% of people knew feeling weak, lightheaded or a having a feeling of general unease were also symptoms. In addition, 75% of those surveyed thought a heart attack could be referred to as a cardiac arrest, and 46% did not recognise squeezing across the chest as a symptom of heart attacks.
It can be easy to dismiss the early signs of a heart attack but it’s never too early to call 999 and describe you or your loved ones’ symptoms. The faster you act, the better the chance of a positive outcome.
