On World Heart Day, Clinical & Preventive Cardiology, Medanta Heart Institute, Dr R. R Kasliwal addressed the term ‘Golden Hour’ elaboratively and defined the accurate diagnosis of an acute heart attack.

He described the typical symptoms of a heart attack as; Chest pain and feeling pressure that is often mistaken as acid formation in the body. Defining the Golden hour, Dr Kasliwal said ‘‘Golden hour is those 60 minutes after an acute heart attack in which heart muscles can be saved from permanent damage’’, he also told that if the golden hour is properly utilised with correct diagnosis and treatment, it benefits the patient for a longer run. 

According to Dr Kasliwal, India has the maximum number of classic heart attack cases, therefore he advised to be vigilant enough to recognise the signs of heart attack and use of right treatment during the golden hour. Focusing on the treatment of a patient during golden hour, Dr Kasliwal said ‘‘Why we should wait to reach the hospital? The treatment should be provided in the ambulance by paramedics, they should know the immediate medication that can be given to the patients. The ECG should get done instantly so that when the patient reaches hospital the further treatment can proceed and that can be a life-saver’’. 

Advising the instant relief that can be given to the patient by their families he referred to the importance of insight regarding basic life support that can help to save patients from any emergency health condition. In order to discard the misconception that says only old people get a heart attack, he referred to the recent data and advised that youngsters should be aware, prevent and work on the factors that can be the cause of a heart attack. He also suggested a break in between the long working hours on screens, mild-exercise amidst a hectic schedule as preventive methods. 

Lastly, Dr Kasliwal concluded by saying ‘‘Predict and prevent instead of repair and repent, if you look after yourself you do not need to think about golden hours’’.