When someone has a heart attack, the most important thing they
can do to increase their chances of surviving and minimize
damage to their heart is to get help as soon as possible. That
might seem obvious, but according to the National Heart, Lung,
and Blood Institute, many people take a "wait and see" attitude
when they experience heart attack symptoms because they don't
recognize the signs of a heart attack or they attribute the
symptoms to another problem. In fact, the NHLBI says that most
heart attack victims wait two hours or more after symptoms begin
before seeking treatment, and this delay can result in death or
permanent damage to the heart. The NHLBI says that despite the
popular image of a heart attack -- someone suddenly clutching
his or her chest and falling over -- most heart attacks begin
slowly, as mild pain or discomfort in the chest. According to
the American Heart Association, some of the most common warning
signs of a heart attack include: Chest discomfort: Most heart
attacks involve discomf