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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What should you do if you think you are experiencing a heart attack?

    Related Topic
    Angina & Heart Attack
    This is something I have always wondered as both my grandparents had heart attacks.. do you stay still and wait for it to pass? What if no one is around?
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    A/Prof John Amerena

    Cardiologist (Heart Specialist)

    Dr John Amerena trained in Melbourne, followed by four years in the United States at the University of Michigan. Over that period of time he … View Profile

    If patients think they are experiencing a heart attack, the most important thing is to get to a hospital as soon as possible.
    In cardiology terms, we say, “Time is myocardium.” There is more potential damage to someone that has a longer lack of blood flow to the heart.
    Therefore the quicker we can restore blood flow, the more likely the person is to have minimal damage and a better outcome.
    We would much prefer to see patients coming to hospital with chest pain and telling them that it is a false alarm, rather than missing people who have had a heart attack and not being able to help them.

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