Sudden concerning chest pressure, tightness or heaviness warrants 120; do not wait or drive yourself
Call China's 120 promptly for sudden concerning chest pressure or tightness; do not wait 15 minutes before seeking help. In one study, 30-day mortality was 2.8% when a blocked artery was opened within 55 minutes of hospital arrival, versus 9.7% after longer delays. Delay costs heart muscle. Losing consciousness while driving can cause another emergency.
What it takes
No cost to take the immediate action.
What you may gain
An Israeli national acute-coronary-syndrome survey analyzed ST-elevation myocardial infarction. It measured time from hospital arrival to balloon opening of the blocked vessel. With door-to-balloon time ≤55 minutes, 30-day deaths were 5/178 (2.8%); with >55 minutes, 15/155 (9.7%).
Context & considerations
This study measured in-hospital delay, not time from symptoms to arrival, but the author applies the same urgency to seeking care. Safety correction: the original 15-minute wording must not be read as a required waiting period before calling. Pain may occur in the upper abdomen, back or jaw, or include left-arm numbness. Older people and people with diabetes may have breathlessness without pain. Do not drive yourself: loss of consciousness creates a second hazard.
Research & references
Karkabi B, Meir G, Zafrir B, et al. (2021). Door-to-balloon time and mortality in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction. European Heart Journal - Quality of Care and Clinical Outcomes. https://doi.org/10.1093/ehjqcco/qcaa037