Heart attacks may cause immediate cardiac arrest or may progress to cardiac arrest. However, not every heart attack causes cardiac arrest. Many people die before they reach a hospital. The average person waits three hours before seeking help for symptoms of a heart attack. The sooner you get to the emergency room, the better your chance of not only surviving, but of lessening the damage done to your heart.
First Aid Have the victim sit down and rest, and attempt to keep calm.
Loosen any tight clothing. If the pain does not subside with rest and within three minutes of taking nitroglycerin, call for emergency medical assistance. If an adult victim is unconscious and unresponsive, call 911, then begin CPR . If an infant or child is unconscious and unresponsive, perform one minute of CPR, then call 911. Do Not DO NOT leave the victim alone.