If there is pressing pain, tightness or squeezing in the chest lasting more than 15 minutes without easing, call 120 (China's ambulance number); don't tough it out and don't drive yourself

In a real emergency, call 911 first, then read this.

Cost

Free.

What you get

Israel ran a national survey of acute coronary syndrome. The people analyzed were patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction, one type of heart attack. The measure was the interval from arriving at the hospital to using a balloon to open the blocked vessel (balloon dilation). Among those with an interval of ≤55 minutes, 5/178 (2.8%) died within 30 days. Among those with an interval of >55 minutes, 15/155 (9.7%) died within 30 days

Notes

The study compared the delay after reaching the hospital, not the time from onset to reaching the hospital. But the principle is the same: every bit of delay means more heart muscle dies. The pain may be in the upper abdomen, the back or the jaw, or there may be numbness in the left arm. People with diabetes and older people may feel no pain and only be short of breath. Don't drive yourself: losing consciousness on the road is a second accident

Evidence grade

B : Supported by research but without a precise number, or based on small or single studies.

Sources

1. Karkabi B, Meir G, Zafrir B, et al. (2021). Door-to-balloon time and mortality in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction. European Heart Journal - Quality of Care and Clinical Outcomes. https://doi.org/10.1093/ehjqcco/qcaa037

Translated from the Chinese original. Original book, section 13, tip 7. Content may be out of date and rules differ by place. When you actually deal with an agency, a doctor or a court, follow what local officials, doctors and lawyers tell you. Disclaimer