NHS England has today launched a new potentially life-saving campaign educating people on how to deal with heart attacks.
The campaign will feature adverts advising people to call 999 as soon as they experience any symptoms of a heart attack.
The move comes as hospital admissions climb back to pre-pandemic levels, with NHS figures indicating that 2021/22 saw over 84,000 heart attack admissions – up by more than 7,000 compared to the year before.
The campaign seeks to inform people about the symptoms of a heart attack, as survey data shows that, while most people (70%) understand chest pain is a sign, less than half (41%) know sweating is also a potential symptom of a heart attack.
This is similar for feeling weak, lightheaded or uneasy with just over a quarter (27%) knowing they were also symptoms. The NHS campaign will urge anyone experiencing those symptoms to call 999 as soon as possible to give themselves the best chance of survival.
Approximately seven in 10 people survive a heart attack, but that figure is closer to nine in 10 if the patient reaches a hospital earlier.
Despite men being more frequently affected, the campaign will also outline the danger heart attacks pose to women as well – around 30,000 women every year are admitted to hospital following a heart attack and the risk only increases after menopause.
Lord Markham, health minister, said: “A heart attack is a medical emergency – and recognising the symptoms can be the difference between life or death.”
He continued: “This brilliant campaign shows what to look out for, and we urge people to call 999 immediately if they notice themselves, or others, experiencing the warning signs.”
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