Action taken within the first hours after a heart attack is critical to survival. The average sufferer gets to the hospital almost 5 hours after the onset of symptoms - significantly increasing their chance of dying. Therefore, it is important to be educated about heart attack symptoms and know when - and how - to react.

The most common warning signs include:

• pain or heavy pressure in chest
• pain in shoulders, neck or arms
• lightheadedness
• fainting
• paleness
• sweating
• nausea
• shortness of breath

React before it's too late

Don't make excuses for heart attack symptoms.

Take fast action if you think that you or someone around you is having a heart attack. Never mistake heart attack symptoms as "indigestion" or feel that you are creating a false alarm - acting fast can save lives.

If you experience heart attack symptoms, don't delay --

call 911

, and as directed by your doctor, chew or crush and swallow an aspirin followed by a drink of water, if possible. Taking aspirin immediately at the onset of heart attack symptoms may prevent the formation of additional small blood clots blocking blood flow through clogged arteries. If that happens, heart muscle damage may be prevented or delayed, buying time to get to the hospital.