Heart attack signs 'being missed'

The campaign poster is being shown across London

Most Londoners are putting their health at risk by not recognising the signs of a heart attack, according to a survey.

More than 90% of Londoners do not know that mild discomfort of the chest could be symptomatic of a heart attack, the YouGov poll showed.

The findings were revealed to coincide with the British Heart Foundation (BHF) 'Doubt Kills' campaign across London.

Adverts showing a man with a belt around his chest urge people to call 999 if they have chest pain.

'High impact'

Professor Peter Weissberg, BHF Medical Director, said: "Central chest pain is the most common warning sign of a heart attack, but most Londoners don't know that it doesn't have to be excruciating to be serious."

"Not everyone has the classic 'Hollywood heart attack'."

While the majority of Londoners would expect central chest pain that spreads to the arms, neck, jaw or stomach as symptoms, a third incorrectly assume they would collapse and one in six incorrectly assume they would become unconscious if they were having a heart attack.

Others symptoms include indigestion-like aches, jaw, back and arm pain, breathlessness and sweating, he said.

The "high impact" campaign will appear on billboards and bus adverts across London.