Heart victims 'put off calling triple 0' 

More than half of people who think they are having a heart attack will choose not to call an ambulance, a "frightening" new poll shows.

A Newspoll commissioned by the National Heart Foundation of Australia found that of the people surveyed in NSW, 56 per cent would not call an ambulance if they were suffering the warning signs of a heart attack.

The research also revealed that while 78 per cent of people recognised chest pain, pressure or tightness as warnings, only 33 per cent were aware of other signs such as pain in the arm or side.

Heart Foundation NSW chief executive officer Tony Thirlwell said warning signs varied from person to person and the research showed a major education program was needed across the state.

"These results are frightening and means that of the estimated 49,800 heart attacks each year, six in 10 would not have been responded to in the best possible way to save life," Mr Thirlwell said.

"Calling triple-0 for an ambulance is the fastest and safest way to get to hospital.

"It gets you immediate medical attention from qualified health professionals and access to effective medications and procedures."

Mr Thirlwell said 32 per cent of people surveyed would not call an ambulance because they feared wasting paramedics' time on a false alarm.

About 17 per cent would call a friend or family member instead of the ambulance, he said.

"Too many people are losing loved ones because they take too long to call for an ambulance," he said.

"There is a critical need for Australians to recognise heart attack warning signs and take lifesaving action by calling triple-0 for an ambulance."

The results have prompted the foundation to launch a new heart attack campaign during Heart Week, which runs from April 20 to May 5.

The campaign is designed to raise awareness about chest pain and other common heart attack warning signs, and reduce the amount of time people wait before calling triple-0.

© 2007 AAP