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It is certainly true that men can be very stubborn when it comes to their health. And having high tolerances for pain can actually be a disadvantage; an issue for both women and men. When it comes to cardiac emergencies, the last thing anyone should do is ignore the warning signs.

Sitting in the Emergency Department waiting room of a small country hospital the other night, it was actually great to see someone come in because they had some chest pain. The staff did not muck about with this person and moved them straight in for assessment.

Several hours later they were discharged as the tests had come back negative. Neither the staff nor the patient saw this as a needless waste of time. To be proven wrong is fantastic. Waiting for “things to get better” without medical support can prove deadly.

Consider the risk factors when it comes to the potential for cardiac emergencies. These items are not an exhaustive list:

* Age
* Gender
* Family history
* Weight
* Smokers
* Diet
* Exercise (or more specifically a lack of it)

All of these could be indicators for possible trouble. If any of these factors apply to you, make an appointment with your GP to discuss whether or not you need to start taking action.

Of all the paramedics I have dealt with in the field, they would all agree that they would prefer to turn up and not be needed than turn up 20 minutes too late when it comes to cardiac emergencies.

There is an old quote that goes along the lines of “time is myocardium” which means time is heart muscle. The longer you leave a cardiac emergency, the more heart muscle is destroyed that will NOT be repaired by the body.

So what indicators suggest urgent action is required?

If the patient experiences:
* Chest pain or discomfort e.g. A tight band, crushing, tearing, or searing sensations
* Pain in the left arm, tingling or loss of sensation
* Sudden onset neck or head pain
* Persistent severe indigestion, nausea and/or vomiting
* Blueness or greying of the lips, fingers or toes
* Difficulty breathing
* Difficulty standing
* Looking pale with cool, clammy skin

Remember, you do not need to have had a family or personal history or heart problems to experience these symptoms. Acting on them straight away will give you the best chance of survival.

Certainly should you start experiencing the indicators of a potential cardiac emergency, take action straight away. Dial 000 in Australia and ask for an Ambulance.