Group staff trained to help save hearts - and lives

A staggering 40 per cent of people would not make 999 their first call if they suspected they were having a heart attack; a survey for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) has revealed.

And an even greater number, 64 per cent, say they would call someone other than 999 first if they were experiencing chest pain - the main symptom of a heart attack.

Signs and symptoms: Some of the H&H Group staff with David Webster, front right, who have been trained to improve the chances for someone suffering from cardiac arrest with the on-site defribrillator at Borderway. Pictured, left to right, are Bill Hogg, Cathy McLeary, Randal Hogg, Sarah Cattanach and Lynne Robinson and, right, the British Heart Foundation's poster intended to draw attention to the campaign.

Who would you call first? The British Heart Foundations (BHF) 'Doubt Kills' campaign's aim is to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of a heart attack and prompt people to call 999 as their first response.

H&H Group staff have been trained to be part of the National Defibrillator Programme which aims to increase access to early defibrillation for someone suffering an out of hospital cardiac arrest. Throughout the country there are 3000+ AEDs (automated external defibrillators) located in shopping centres, airports and railway stations and other public places with local staff trained in resuscitation.
"Every second counts when you are having a heart attack, and the quicker you call 999 the greater your chances of survival," said Professor Peter Weissberg, BHF Medical Director. "Unfortunately too many people waste vital minutes questioning their symptoms - our message is if you're suffering chest pain, call 999 immediately, because doubt kills. "Someone suffers a heart attack every two minutes in the UK, and about one in three dies before reaching hospital. Many more suffer life-long debilitation because their heart muscle has been permanently damaged. "Sadly many of these deaths and heart muscle damage could have been avoided if people had sought help immediately."

David Webster, community defibrillation officer (Cumbria and Lancashire area) North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said: "Farmers in particular are not known for being the first to seek medical advice for themselves. Dogs, sheep, cows, yes, themselves no! "My experience is that they will try to ignore symptoms and hope whatever it is goes away. "If you are having a heart attack every minute you delay in calling for help will result in more damage to your heart muscle. As a paramedic there is nothing more frustrating than arriving at a remote farm with equipment and drugs to treat a heart attack only to find that the patient has had this pain for the last eight or 12 hours before calling for help. Please call 999 sooner rather than later, paramedics have the skills and drugs to begin immediate treatment and you are saving your heart from further damage.

Mr Webster has trained H&H staff at Carlisle in resuscitation using an AED that is permanently available on site. Having an AED at H&H will save valuable minutes and significantly improve the chances of survival for someone suffering a cardiac arrest. Mr Webster added: "Thank you to all the staff that have trained and are willing to respond with the AED in an emergency. All visitors to H & H site benefit from the fact that you are there to provide life saving treatment should they require it. "And all you farmers don't ignore central chest pain. Call 999. Give us a chance to save your heart. Doubt kills."

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