The NHS is urging the public to "spread the word" about three key signs of a heart attack. The health service shared several images and instructions on social media platform X, explaining how to react in such a critical situation.

Their post stated: "Do you know the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest? Know what to do in these emergencies and help spread the word."

Following this, the NHS outlined the steps to take if someone is experiencing a cardiac arrest: "The person will be unconscious and not breathing, or not breathing normally. The faster you act, the better their chances of survival.

If you think someone is having a cardiac arrest, call 999 and start CPR immediately. " Furthermore, the NHS provided advice on how to respond if someone is suffering a heart attack. They suggested: "The person will usually be conscious and may experience symptoms including chest pain, dizziness, and shortness of breath. "If you think someone is having a heart attack, call 999 immediately."

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Further symptoms listed on the NHS website include pain in the left arm, sweating, feeling nauseous or vomiting, and coughing or wheezing. Another sign of a cardiac arrest to be aware of is that the individual doesn't respond to any sound or touch, reports Nottinghamshire Live.

The NHS defines a cardiac arrest as a critical event where the "heart stops beating in a normal way, preventing blood from pumping around the body". In light of this, the NHS website provides crucial guidance on how to act during such an emergency:

  • Danger: Keep calm and check the scene is safe to approach
  • Response: Shout “are you alright?” and shake the person’s shoulders
  • Shout for help: Send someone for help and call 999
  • Airway: Tilt the head back gently to open the airway
  • Breathing: Check for normal breathing by looking at the chest to see if it is rising and falling or listening for abnormal sounds such as infrequent and noisy gasps
  • Compressions: If the patient is not breathing normally, start hands-only CPR pushing hard and fast in the centre of the chest

Elsewhere, if you come across someone having a heart attack, the NHS recommends following this checklist while waiting for an ambulance:

  • Sit the person down and make them comfortable
  • Don’t give them anything to eat or drink
  • If available, ask them to take a 300mg aspirin tablet to chew slowly (unless they are under 16 or allergic)

For more information on what to do or what to look out for visit the NHS website.