The *60 minutes* following a heart attack or stroke can be the difference between life and death. It’s called the “golden hour” and it’s the subject of tonight’s Medical Minute.

In Emergency Medicine, the “golden hour” is that critical time period in which treatment must begin in order for it to be successful. Medical science has given us powerful new tools that can limit or avoid permanent damage from a heart attack or stroke.

However, clot busting drugs for strokes must be given soon after symptoms begin or they do no good. Damage to the heart muscle can be limited only if drug or emergency angioplasty treatment starts within 1 to 2 hours after a heart attack begins. Delay can be deadly.

Know the symptoms of heart attack and stroke. They include chest pain that doesn’t go away, difficulty breathing, severe headache, paralysis in an arm or leg, confusion, and slurred speech. If you have symptoms, call 911immeditely and get to the hospital quickly.

How soon a person seeks medical care can mean the difference between life, permanent damage and death.

For Medical Minute, I’m Dr Sanford Vieder.