When you have a heart attack, time is of the essence. The sooner you get medical care, the less damage to your heart and the better your chance of survival. Treatment for heart attack is most effective when received at the first sign of problems — ideally within one to two hours from the onset of symptoms. But, according to the Cleveland Clinic, studies show that most people wait longer than seven hours to seek treatment. The majority of people who die from a heart attack do so before they ever reach a hospital, according to the University of Kentucky.
Call 911 or seek emergency medical help at the first sign of heart attack symptoms. This is one case where it’s better to be safe than sorry.
