from American Heart Association, Circulation
There is a natural tendency to ignore certain minor discomfort in the chest or arms as not serious. But what if those are symptoms of a heart attack. Waiting could be the worst thing we can do. Research published in the American Heart Association journal, Circulation, says the longer after a heart attack starts, and treatment to clear artery blockage, the more the heart muscle can be damaged. The study looked at two different time frames—when symptoms first occurred to time of artery clearing treatment. The other was time of hospital arrival to time of artery clearing treatment. The greatest delay, with the greatest danger of heart damage, was prior to the patient getting to a hospital.