Fewer than half of people having heart attack call emergency services within an hour, new data shows

Travelling by ambulance meant people were more likely to have a test — an ECG — done on their heart by paramedics before reaching a centre, audit found. Picture: Denis Minihane

A national audit of heart attack incidents has found only 49% of sufferers call emergency services within an hour of symptoms beginning. 

Patients who call 999 or 112 are more likely to receive a quick diagnosis, treatment, and are more likely to survive, the Irish Heart Attack Audit National Report has found.