The golden hour: Why acting early during a heart attack saves lives? Cardiologist explains | Health news

According to experts, the concept of the “golden hour” is crucial for understanding heart attacks and their treatment. This first hour after a heart attack represents a critical window of time in which a patient’s chances of survival can be significantly improved and long-term damage minimized.

The golden hour underlines how important it is to seek immediate medical attention after a heart attack. In this critical phase, every minute counts. (Image: Getty)

New Delhi: Heart attacks remain the biggest health burden worldwide. Along with cancer, cardiovascular diseases are also the leading cause of death in India. According to reports, the number of deaths due to heart attacks has increased over the last three decades, in addition to this, it has increased following the COVID-19 pandemic due to its long-lasting effects. The latest data from the National Crime Bureau (NCRB) shows that there was a 12.5 percent increase in heart attack cases in 2022 alone. The significant increase in heart attack cases and deaths requires immediate action.

In conversation with News9Dr Sridhara N, Director of Cardiology at Fortis Hospital, Rajaji Nagar, said, “The concept of the ‘golden hour’ is crucial in understanding heart attacks and their treatment. This first hour after a heart attack represents a critical window of time during which a patient’s chances of survival can be significantly improved and long-term damage minimised.”

Time is muscle

The heart is a muscle and like any muscle, it needs a constant flow of oxygen-rich blood to function properly. A heart attack occurs when a coronary artery becomes blocked, cutting off the blood supply to part of the heart muscle. The longer this blockage lasts, the more heart muscle cells die.

Studies show that heart muscle tissue begins to die within 80–90 minutes of a blockage in blood flow, and that significant and potentially irreversible damage can occur within 6 hours.

The Golden Hour: A Race Against Time

The Golden Hour underlines the importance of seeking immediate medical attention after a heart attack. During this critical phase, every minute counts. Immediate medical intervention can:

• Open the blocked artery: Using procedures such as angioplasty and stenting, doctors can open the blocked coronary artery and restore blood supply to the heart muscle.

• Minimize heart damage: The faster blood flow is restored, the less damage is done to the heart muscle. This means a better chance of a full recovery and a lower risk of complications such as heart failure.

• Improve long-term results: Early treatment during the golden hour can significantly improve a patient’s long-term prognosis and quality of life.

Recognize the signs and take action

To make the most of the Golden Hour benefits, it is important to detect a heart attack early. Here are some common signs of a heart attack:

• Pain or discomfort in the chest, often explained as a feeling of pressure, tightness or squeezing

• Pain or discomfort in other areas of the upper body, such as the arms, back, neck, jaw, or abdomen

• Shortness of breath

• Nausea or vomiting

• Dizziness or lightheadedness

• Sudden cold sweat

If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, seek emergency medical attention immediately. Don’t delay in seeking help – remember, when it comes to a heart attack, time is muscle!

Awareness campaigns play an important role in educating people about the signs and symptoms of a heart attack and the importance of seeking immediate medical attention during the golden hour. By understanding this critical window of opportunity and acting promptly, we can significantly improve the chances of survival and recovery for heart attack patients.