“Most heart attack cases actually do not occur without warning,” Masfuri, who heads UI’s Acute and Critical Care Research Cluster, said in Depok, West Java, on Thursday.
He said people often misinterpret early warning signs, delaying critical medical treatment.
Typical symptoms include left-sided chest pain that feels like a heavy weight, a burning sensation spreading to the jaw, shoulder, or arm, cold sweats, and sudden shortness of breath, Masfuri said.
However, many people mistake these symptoms for indigestion, stomach problems, or fatigue, even though treatment delays can reduce the chances of survival, he said.
“Unusual chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, or cold sweats should not be ignored. The faster the treatment, the greater the chance of saving heart tissue,” Masfuri said.
He said emergency cardiology follows the “time saving is life saving” principle, with a critical window of 90 to 120 minutes after symptoms begin.
Rapid treatment during this window can help limit permanent heart muscle damage and improve the chances of survival.
If someone shows signs of a heart attack, bystanders should stop the person’s activity, help them sit in a leaning-back position, then call emergency services or arrange immediate transport to a hospital.
If the person becomes unconscious and is not breathing normally, immediate first aid is critical.
Masfuri advised using Hands-Only CPR, pressing the center of the chest 100 to 120 times per minute.
If an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is available, it should be used according to its voice prompts. Early bystander CPR can double or triple survival chances before paramedics arrive.
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Translator: Feru L, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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