Each year, more than a million people suffer a heart attack in the United States. The chances of surviving such an event rely heavily on how soon you recognize the symptoms and get to a hospital for treatment, says James M. Atkins, professor of internal medicine-cardiology at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

"Common symptoms range from pain or tightness in the chest lasting a few minutes, to radiating pain that travels down you arm or into your jaw," Dr. Atkins says. "Our strong recommendation is to call 9-1-1."

He stresses against driving yourself, or having someone else drive you to a hospital. "Those who call 9-1-1 and are transported by ambulance to a hospital have a much higher survival rate in cases of heart attacks than those who don't," he says.

Patients who receive treatment within 70 minutes of the onset of a heart attack have a mortality rate of less than 1.7 percent, says Dr. Atkins.

Media Contact: Katherine Morales

Health tips from experts at UT Southwestern Medical Center.
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