Launch Of Heart Attack Awareness Campaign

BRITISH Heart Foundation Northern Ireland and the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust has launched a joint Heart Attack Awareness Campaign in the North Down and Ards area.

Pictured at the launch were Stephanie Leckey, British Heart Foundation, Sandra Henderson, Community Development Worker, Elaine Hardy, Health Development Specialist, Tanya Daly - Specialist Practitioner in Cardiology South Eastern Trust, Laura Coulter, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, Jackie Robinson, Community Development Worker, Mr Charlie Martyn, Medical Director at South Eastern Trust, and Philip Ellis, Cardiac Patient.

The aim of the campaign is to increase public awareness of the signs and symptoms of a heart attack and to urge people with any of these symptoms to take immediate action and call 999.

Speaking about the campaign, Stephanie Leckey, BHF Northern Ireland Community Development Co-ordinator, said “People assume that a heart attack will be an overwhelming crushing chest pain, however, symptoms vary from person to person.Knowing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack and calling 999 gives you the best possible chance of survival.”

Mr Charlie Martyn, Medical Director of South Eastern Trust, said “Every second counts in the treatment of patients with heart attacks.   Northern Ireland has always led the world in pre-hospital management of heart disease, but to maximise the benefits of current treatments, patients must be able to recognise the symptoms of a heart attack and seek appropriate help as soon as possible.”

This campaign will be raising awareness of heart attack symptoms throughout the local community by means of posters, bus advertising and carrier bags which will display key information.

4,000 people have a Heart Attack in NI each year. This awareness campaign is supported by the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and the Northern Ireland Cardiac Services Network.

Chest pain needs to be taken seriously so that if someone suffers a heart attack, they stand the best chance of getting appropriate treatment and making a good recovery. The Heart Attack Awareness Campaign urges people who experience any of the following symptoms to take prompt action and ring 999 and get help immediately.

The most common symptoms of a heart attack include:

• Central chest pain
• The pain can spread to the arms, neck or jaw
• Some people can feel sick or sweaty as well as having central chest pain
• Some people can feel short of breath as well as having central chest pain

The campaign is also supported by the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) and the Northern Ireland Cardiac Services Network. 

For more information on heart attack symptoms visit bhf.org.uk or www.2minutes.org.uk