Heart Week highlights need for prompt heart attack action
29 April 2002
In Heart Week 2002 (28 April to 4 May) the Heart Foundation is urging all Australians to take action against heart disease and stroke.
Particularly, the Heart Foundation is stressing the importance of taking prompt action in response to chest pain. Every minute counts in a heart attack — the sooner a heart attack patient gets to hospital, the sooner damage-limiting, or life-saving, treatment can be started.
Symptoms of heart attack should not be ignored, the Heart Foundation recommends that you dial 000 and ask for the ambulance service.
According to the Heart Foundation the warning signs for a heart attack are:
- Squeezing, discomfort or pain in the centre of the chest or behind the breastbone lasting more than 10-15 minutes.
- Pain spreading to the shoulders, neck, jaw or arms.
- Sweating, shortness of breath.
- A sick feeling in the stomach.
- Dizziness.
The steps recommended by the Heart Foundation are:
1. Dial 000.
2. Ask for ambulance service.
3. Report a possible heart attack.
4. If available an aspirin should be taken unless it is known that the person has been advised not to take aspirin.
5. The affected person should rest quietly while waiting for transport or assistance.
Rural situations
In rural situations an ambulance may not be readily available, and the Heart Foundation recommends:
- Quickly notify the nearest hospital, health clinic or the person's usual doctor, for advice.
- It may be appropriate to arrange for someone to drive the person suffering a suspected heart attack to hospital.
Last Reviewed: 26 April 2002
