THE NHS is urging people to learn the early and often obscure symptoms of a heart attack to boost survival chances.
It comes as admissions for heart attack have returned to pre-pandemic levels.
The NHS campaign will teach people about the common signs of a heart attack that are often dismissed or ignored by people.
Research shows that while 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.
Only 27 per cent understood feeling weak, lightheaded or generally uneasy were also symptoms.
To boost awareness, adverts will encourage people to call 999 as soon as they experience symptoms, even if they are not severe.
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These are the symptoms of a heart attack:
- Squeezing across the chest. It may feel like indigestion or a burning sensation
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Feeling weak or lightheaded
- A feeling of unease/a sudden feeling of anxiety
- Excessive coughing or wheezing due to a build up of fluid in the lungs
- Pain that may spread to your left or right arm or may spread to your neck, jaw, back or stomach
- Feeling short of breath
Heart attack symptoms vary greatly but these are the ones seen more often.
People’s chances of surviving a heart attack are far higher if they seek care earlier.
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Around seven in 10 people survive a heart attack increasing to more than nine in 10 for those who reach hospital early to receive treatment.
A heart attack occurs when the supply of blood to the heart becomes blocked, which can starve it of oxygen potentially causing serious muscle damage.
Treatment starts with unblocking the artery.
Professor Nick Linker, cardiologist and NHS national clinical director for heart disease, said: “Cardiovascular disease causes one in four deaths across the country, so it is vital that people are aware of the early signs of a heart attack.
“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.
"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."
Dr Charmaine Griffiths, Chief Executive at BHF, said: “Every minute matters when somebody is having a heart attack, and could be the difference between life and death.
“Even if the symptoms don’t seem severe, such as a feeling of squeezing or tightness across the chest – call 999 immediately. A heart attack is a medical emergency and immediate action could save your life.”
The campaign will also seek to raise awareness of heart attack symptoms amongst women.
Heart attacks more frequently affect men, however, around 30,000 women are admitted to hospital following a heart attack each year in the UK.
Women may be less likely to seek medical attention and treatment quickly, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) says.
Their risk of a heart attack increases after the menopause, which is after periods have stopped for one year.
A cardiac arrest is different to a heart attack, during which the person will be conscious and breathing.
It usually occurs suddenly and without warning with the person quickly losing consciousness.
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Their heart stops, they will have no pulse and sadly people experiencing a cardiac arrest will usually die within minutes if they do not receive treatment or CPR.
A heart attack can lead to a cardiac arrest.
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