With large number of Indians who are succumbing to heart attack every year, most patients do not even get the “golden hour” of treatment. Golden hour is the first one hour after a heart attack which is ideal in reducing complications and associated mortality.

Many Indians are not able to identify the symptoms on time. Thus, they fail to seek appropriate intervention. Health experts say that the “golden hour” is very significant for giving heart attack patients timely and lifesaving care.

Therefore, any chest pain above the waist level is subjected to ECG. It needs a consultation by a physician without further delay. Treatment given within the first hour after a heart attack is imperative to save life and avoid complications.

According to the American Heart Association – the mortality in sudden cardiac arrest is approximately 4280/100,000 in India.

Doctors say that the risk of fatality gets increased because many of those who suffer a heart attack are brought to the hospital after the delay of at least 2 to 3 hours. Such delay makes it difficult to bring them back to normal health.

“Heart attack accounts for more than 60 percent of all cardiac deaths. Seventy percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur at home. In 90 percent cases people pass away, who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Every minute’s delay in resuscitation of the cardiac arrest victim slims the chance of survival by 7-10 percent,” says Indian Journal of Anesthesia, publishing the guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

CPR involves development of skills which are relevant to the practice of all medical specialities, particularly anaesthesiology, critical care, emergency medicine and surgery.

“Unfortunately, immediate help is received by only about 46 per cent of people experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. However, if CPR is performed immediately by someone nearby, the chance of survival of victims can double or triple,” stated the Indian Journal of Anesthesia.

Dr Rajiv Agarwal, Senior Director & Unit Head of Cardiology department at Max Specialty Hospital said, “In the event of a heart attack, time is of utmost crucial. Many people tend to ignore a chest pain attributing it to acidity or indigestion. However, any acute chest pain must be immediately checked by a specialist. Especially in the cases of people who are genetically prone to heart problems. This includes an electrocardiogram and rapid blood test to exclude heart muscle damage.”

Dr Agarwal further said, “The intensity of pain should not be the deciding factor. Some heart attacks may be entirely painless and may manifest as sudden burning sensation in chest, breathlessness, dizziness, uneasiness, vomiting or sweating.

If a person experiences any unexplained symptoms which could be due to heart attack, the ‘Golden Rule’ is to rush them to a hospital with a Cath Lab within the ‘Golden Hour’. The damage to heart muscle can be minimized if Primary Angioplasty is done immediately – this is the most effective treatment.”

Symptoms of Heart Attack:

Severe chest pain with sweating

Palpitation and breathing difficulty

Feeling of blackout

Extreme lethargy particularly in diabetic patients

Chest pain radiating to either or both arms, jaw and the back region

Severe vomiting or nausea with abdominal discomfort.

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