NHS alerts it's 'never too early to call 999' if you have these subtle symptoms

The NHS has issued an urgent warning, saying it’s “never to early to call 999” if you have certain symptoms. These signs don’t have to “feel severe” to warrant medical attention.

In an alert posted to social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), the health service advised people on the telltale warning signs of a heart attack. These may not be what you are expecting, though.

The NHS said: “Make sure you know the early symptoms of a heart attack. They don’t always feel severe.

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“A squeezing across the chest. A feeling of unease. It’s never too early to call 999 and describe your symptoms.”

In an infographic, it shared some of the early signs of a heart attack as:

• Chest pain - a feeling of pressure, heaviness, tightness or squeezing across your chest
• Pain that spreads from your chest to your arms, jaw, neck, back and tummy
• Feeling lightheaded or dizzy, uneasy, sick, sweaty or short of breath

However, other symptoms listed on the NHS website include:

• An overwhelming feeling of anxiety (similar to a panic attack)
• Coughing or wheezing

The NHS continues: “The chest pain is often severe, but some people may only experience minor pain, similar to indigestion. While the most common symptom is chest pain, symptoms can vary from person to person.

“Some people may have other symptoms such as shortness of breath, feeling or being sick and back or jaw pain without any chest pain. Call 999 immediately if you think someone might be having a heart attack. The faster you act, the better their chances.”

Causes of a heart attack

The leading cause of heart attacks is coronary heart disease. “Coronary heart disease is a condition in which the major blood vessels (coronary arteries) that supply the heart muscle become clogged by a build-up of deposits of fatty substances, known as plaques,” the NHS explains.

“Before a heart attack, one of the plaques bursts (ruptures), causing a blood clot to develop at the site of the rupture. The clot may block the supply of blood to the heart, triggering a heart attack.”

Preventing a heart attack

To reduce your likelihood of a heart attack, the NHS recommends:

• Smokers should quit smoking
• Lose weight if you're overweight or obese
• Do regular exercise – adults should do at least 150 minutes (two hours and 30 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise each week, unless advised otherwise by a doctor
• Eat a low-fat, high-fibre diet, including wholegrains and at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day
• Moderate your alcohol consumption

If you are concerned about your heart health, you should speak to your GP.