A top UK cardiologist has issued a vital public health warning, urging Brits to learn the often-overlooked signs of a silent heart attack that can be easily mistaken for less serious ailments.
Unlike the dramatic, crushing chest pain often depicted in films, many heart attacks present with subtle symptoms. Dr. Patrick Vallance, a consultant cardiologist, emphasises that this leads many individuals to dismiss their condition as indigestion, a pulled muscle, or general fatigue, with potentially fatal consequences.
The Symptoms You Must Not Ignore
Dr. Vallance highlights several key signs that should never be ignored, even if they seem minor:
- Unexplained fatigue and breathlessness: Feeling unusually worn out or becoming short of breath after simple activities like walking to another room.
- Discomfort in the upper body: This includes a dull ache, pressure, or squeezing sensation in the chest, jaw, neck, back, or either arm.
- Indigestion-like pain and nausea: A persistent feeling of heartburn, stomach pain, or feeling sick without a clear cause.
- A general sense of unease: Profuse sweating, dizziness, or a feeling that something is terribly wrong.
Why Acting Fast Is a Matter of Life and Death
The central message from the medical expert is clear: time is muscle. Every minute of delay in seeking treatment leads to more irreversible damage to the heart muscle. Dr. Vallance stresses that the "it's probably nothing" mentality is the biggest barrier to survival and recovery.
If you or someone near you experiences any of these symptoms, especially in combination, the advice is unequivocal: Do not wait. Call 999 immediately. Do not attempt to drive yourself to A&E. Emergency services can begin life-saving treatment the moment they arrive.
This warning serves as a crucial reminder for everyone, particularly those with known risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease, to be vigilant and prioritise their cardiovascular health.
