In the United States someone dies of a heart attack every 90 seconds. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention a number of those deaths could have been prevented, find out why in today's Healthy Living report.
According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention every 90 seconds someone dies of a heart attack. That makes the importance of identifying early signs critical to saving lives.
"About six weeks before I really had the heart attack I was having a lot of chest pain," said heart attack survivor Jacqueline LaBounty.
LaBounty delayed getting help for her heart attack. More lives would be saved if people didn't discount their symptoms.
"I ignored it I just said, 'well you eat the wrong thing, I have indigestion.'"
A number of people delay treatment because they do not have the classic dramatic symptoms of a heart attack.
"They don't have what they call the 'Hollywood heart attack', a person gripping their chest and sweating, a dramatic presentation. Many heart attacks are not like that," said cardiologist samaritan Dr. Robert Benton
Subtle symptoms of a heart attack can be easily overlooked.
"Back pain, feelings of doom, unwellness."
If she saw her doctor sooner LaBounty may have been able to avoid having the attack.
"Most heart damage is in the first 20 minutes. We can try to reverse that, but by 20 minutes you are starting to get true heart damage. That doesn't mean it is not reversible but the sooner you get in the sooner you're going to have benefit," said Benton.
If you are experiencing symptoms take precautions before help arrives.
"You should take 325 mg of aspirin, that would be chewable aspirin."
If you happen to be with someone who is showing signs of a heart attack call 911.
"Make that person comfortable by loosening the belt, shirt collar, putting them in a comfortable position by sitting with your knees bent and comfort them and try to relax them until experienced care like, paramedic or EMT arrive to hep you take care of that person," said Benton.