The NHS has issued a stark warning about the early signs of a heart attack, highlighting symptoms that people might not typically associate with the condition. In the UK, someone suffers a heart attack every five minutes, as reported by the British Heart Foundation.
With approximately 100,000 hospital admissions for heart attacks annually and over 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK each year – which have a survival rate of less than one in 10 – it’s crucial to recognise the early warnings. NHS chiefs are sounding the alarm, urging the public: “don’t dismiss the early signs of a heart attack.”
An NHS social media post on X reveals that experiencing a squeezing sensation across the chest can be an early indicator, along with a lesser-known sign: a feeling of unease. A video accompanying the guidance clarifies: “The early symptoms of a heart attack don’t always feel severe.”
It goes on to advise: “But it’s never too early to call 999 and describe your symptoms. BSL users can make a BSL video relay call to 999 using the 999 BSL website or app. Text relay users can call 18000 to contact 999. If you are a BSL user, deaf or have hearing loss you can text 999 by registering your phone in advance. Visit www.emergencysms.co.uk.”
According to the NHS website, symptoms of a heart attack can include: chest pain that feels like pressure, heaviness, tightness or squeezing; pain in other parts of the body, often the left arm but it can affect both arms, as well as the jaw, neck, back and stomach; feeling lightheaded or dizzy; sweating; shortness of breath; nausea or vomiting; an overwhelming sense of anxiety; and coughing or wheezing.