The American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute have launched a new "Act in Time" campaign to increase people's awareness of heart attack and the importance of calling 9-1-1 immediately at the onset of heart attack symptoms.

Dial 9-1-1 fast
Don’t delay if you experience the warning signs and symptom for a heart attack and stroke. Delays in accessing medical services can result in long-term muscle loss. Time is muscle.

Calling 9-1-1 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical services staff can begin treatment when they arrive—up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car.

The staff is trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. Patients with chest pain who arrive by ambulance usually receive faster treatment at the hospital, too.

The ambulance services can begin treatment, your heart rhythm and treat abnormalities, and are in communication with our emergency- room personnel to facilitate rapid treatment. The ambulance is not just a quick ride-it is the first line of treatment.

Heart attack warning signs
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, however most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help.

Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:

• Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Shortness of breath. May occur with or without chest discomfort.
• Other signs. These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness

Women and heart disease

• Chest discomfort. Most women do experience pain their chest with a heart attack; however their signs and symptoms are more likely to be atypical.
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea and vomiting
• Back and/or jaw pain