Treatments

Treatments for heart attacks are more effective when they are given very soon after the symptoms, so it is important that no time is wasted in calling for professional help. In particular:

If the pain is severe and accompanied by sweating, breathlessness, nausea, faintness (or any combination of these), and angina medication does not relieve this within about 15 minutes, immediately dial 999 for an ambulance.

If the pain is the same as that you had experienced with a previous heart attack, then immediate help should be summoned by dialling 999 for an ambulance.

If you have angina and the pain is like that, only more severe, and your medication does not relieve the symptoms within about 15 minutes, dial 999 for an ambulance.

The ambulance service is very experienced in helping people with chest pain and the other symptoms mentioned above. They are equipped and trained to provide very rapid and effective treatment and to take people to hospital where necessary.

Because chest pain is such a common symptom it is possible that there may be nothing wrong with your heart - but better safe than sorry if you have any of the symptoms described above.