All the experts agree: If you experience any of the warning signs of a heart attack, such as nagging indigestion, chest pain or discomfort, there's one thing you should do without hesitation - get help!
"The longer you wait, the greater your chance of having more permanent damage," says Dr. Jeffrey Frye, an Emergency Medicine specialist at Uniontown Hospital. "If you or someone you're with has chest pain, don't wait around hoping it'll just go away. Within minutes - no more than 5 - you should start seeking help. That means calling 911 and getting to the emergency room as quickly as possible."
"Once heart tissue is damaged, it can't be restored," remarks Dr. Frye. "You end up with a weak heart muscle, which can lead to congestive heart failure. At that point you're in for a real lifestyle change. Fluid often builds up in the lungs which leads to shortness of breath and weakness. It's hard to walk up the steps or even around the house."
"We can do so much more now to help in the event of a heart attack," says Dr. Frye, "especially with the addition of angioplasty and stents. But we can only help if you get here - and the faster, the better."
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