Ambulance Delays Hit 47 Minutes as Heart Attack Warning Signs Revealed

LONDON, England — Ambulance response times for heart attacks and strokes in England reached an alarming average of 47 minutes in December 2024, according to NHS England data. This marks a significant increase from 42 minutes in November and far exceeds the 30-minute target, raising concerns about patient survival rates.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the target for category 2 calls, which include suspected heart attacks and strokes, was 18 minutes. However, mounting pressure on the NHS led to adjustments in response goals. In December 2024, no region in England met the 30-minute target, with the East Midlands recording the longest average wait time at 66 minutes.

Dr. Sonya Babu-Narayan, clinical director of the British Heart Foundation (BHF), warned of the dire consequences. “Heart attacks and strokes are life-threatening emergencies. With each minute lost, the risk increases of permanent brain or heart damage and even death,” she said. “We cannot accept such dangerous ambulance wait times as a new normal.”

Dr. Babu-Narayan highlighted systemic issues in emergency care, stating, “This extreme disruption reflects a broken pipeline of care for heart patients. There is damage and delay at every stage: from prevention and diagnosis, to treatment and aftercare.”

In light of these delays, the NHS is urging the public to recognize the warning signs of a heart attack, which include pain in six key areas: the chest, arms, jaw, neck, back, and stomach. “It can feel as if the pain is spreading from your chest to your arms (usually the left arm, but it can affect both arms), jaw, neck, back, and tummy,” the health body explained.

Stroke symptoms, which can occur suddenly, are best remembered using the acronym FAST: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, and Time to call 999. Dr. Babu-Narayan emphasized, “If you experience the symptoms of a heart attack, please don’t hesitate in phoning 999. It’s still the best thing to do, and it could save your life.”

As ambulance response times continue to rise, experts stress the importance of early recognition and immediate action to mitigate the risks associated with these critical conditions.