Red Flags
Pressure or heaviness in the centre of the chest lasting more than a few minutes, pain spreading to the left arm, jaw or back, breathlessness, cold sweat, nausea or sudden extreme weakness are cardiac until proven otherwise.
Women, people with diabetes and the elderly often have atypical presentations, fatigue, indigestion-like discomfort or breathlessness without classic pain.
What to Do Immediately
Stop activity, sit down, and call for help. Do not drive yourself. Chew aspirin only if advised and you have no allergy or bleeding risk. Reach an emergency department with ECG facilities within minutes, not hours.
What Happens on Arrival
An ECG is done within minutes of arrival, followed by cardiac enzyme testing and 2D echo where indicated. Our emergency team stabilises and, where a blocked artery is confirmed, arranges rapid transfer for intervention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a normal ECG rule out a heart attack?
No. A single normal ECG early in the event does not exclude it, repeat ECGs and blood markers are needed.
Our Cardiology team consults at our HSR Layout campus with in-house diagnostics and inpatient beds.