When a heart attack occurs, it's critical to recognize the signals and respond immediately.
Time is critical.
When a coronary artery gets blocked, the heart muscle doesn't die instantly. Instead, damage increases the longer an artery stays blocked. That means delay may increase the damage to the heart and reduce the chance of survival. It also lessens the chance of preserving heart muscle, increasing the risk of disability for survivors. Anyone experiencing the warning signals of a heart attack should be rushed to the nearest hospital with 24-hour emergency cardiac care.