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| An alarming study has found crucial warning signs of cardiac arrest are being ignored |
RESEARCHERS discovered that some people experienced symptoms a month before going into cardiac arrest.
A number of deaths caused by cardiac arrest may have been avoided, according to alarming new research.
The study has found that potentially life-saving symptoms are being ignored for as long a month before a person experiences a heart attack.
The British Heart Foundation estimates approximately 50,000 men and 32,000 women suffer a heart attack each year in England.
Now, health experts from the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute in Los Angeles are urging the public not to dismiss warning signs of heart trouble.
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| Men are more likely to experience chest pains, and more women reported shortness of breath |
Cardiac arrest occurs when a heart loses its rhythm and suddenly stops beating.
Because survival rates are so low, researchers have struggled to gather information on which symptoms and early warning signs people experience.
This study, named the Oregon Sudden Unexpected Death Study, assessed medical records from people aged 35 to 65.
Researchers also interviewed people who had witnessed cardiac arrests, along with the friends and family of patients.
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| Health experts are urging people not to ignore the early warning signs of a heart attack |
The study found that half of middle-aged patients experienced chest pain or shortness of breath in the month before having a heart attack.
Many experienced the symptoms within the day before cardiac arrest, while some reported a difference in the week before.
Shortness of breath is common in women, while most men experienced chest pains.
Patients also reported fainting and heart palpitations.
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| The British Heart Foundation estimates 50,000 men and 32,000 women suffer a heart attack each year |
Lead researcher of the study Dr Sumeet Chugh said: “By the time the (emergency) call is made, it’s much too late for at least 90 per cent of people.
“There’s this window of opportunity that we really didn’t know existed.”
Experts are urging anyone who experiences fainting, heart palpitations, shortness or breath or chest pain to seek medical help immediately.
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