A recent study published in the Annuals of Internal Medicine in 2016, found that symptoms of shortness of breath or chest pain occurred in over half of patients who subsequently suffered an acute cardiac arrest. In addition, of those who had symptoms, in over 90% of these patient, their symptoms actually occurred within 24 hours of the event. This information was gathered by reviewing hospital records and clinic charts, interviewing patients, family and witnesses about 839 individuals who had the acute cardiac arrest during the period from 2002–2012.
Take home message: Don’t guess that the chest pain is indigestion or that the shortness of breath is only that you are “out of shape”, call immediately and don’t take a chance!!