Heart Week 29 April – 5 May 2007
During Heart Week 2007, the Heart Foundation is urging all Australians to become aware of the warning signs of a life threatening heart attack and of the importance of calling 000 immediately to save lives and prevent serious damage to the heart.
Heart Foundation chief executive officer – national, Dr Lyn Roberts, says that each year, coronary heart disease – mainly heart attack – is the underlying cause of death for almost 25,000 Australian men and women.
“Far too many deaths from heart attack occur before the person reaches hospital. We need all Australians to recognise the signs and know what to do immediately to save lives,” she said.
“Too many people lose their loved ones because they take too long to call for an ambulance when they experience the warning signs of heart attack. An ambulance is the fastest and safest way to get to hospital. It gets you immediate medical attention and ambulances are fitted with defibrillators which can correct any sudden changes in heart rhythm that can often lead to sudden death.
“The good news is that hospitals now have medications and other treatments that can open up the blocked artery causing the heart attack and reduce the amount of damage to the heart. But the more time that passes without treatment to restore blood flow, the greater the damage to the heart, and the more likely the patient is to die or suffer long-term disability, “ she said.
