Knowing the warning signs of a heart attack is crucial. The condition kills someone every three minutes - but prompt action can save your life.

While chest or arm pain are well-known indicators, there are lesser-known symptoms to be vigilant about, including one that appears in the upper back. The Lancaster Orthopedic Group points out that could signal a heart attack.

They warn: "A heart attack is a medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked. Heart attacks can cause chest pain, but they can also cause pain in other parts of the upper body, including the shoulder blades, neck, jaw, and arms. Pain between the shoulder blades is a more uncommon symptom of a heart attack, but it is important to be aware of it."

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The British Heart Foundation reports that heart and circulatory diseases account for a quarter of all UK deaths with over 170,000 fatalities every year. That means on average 480 will die as a result of the conditions each day, or roughly one every three minutes.

The country sees approximately 100,000 hospital admissions yearly due to heart attacks, which is about one every five minutes. However, thanks to rapid treatment, around 1.4 million people in the UK have survived a heart attack, reports .

Research highlights the grim reality that the delay between suffering a heart attack and receiving medical attention drastically increases the risk of death. The Cleveland Clinic warns: "Survival can be as high as 90% if treatment starts within the first minutes after sudden cardiac arrest. The rate drops by about 10% each minute longer."

It adds: "Sudden cardiac arrest can be fatal if it lasts longer than eight minutes without CPR. Brain damage can happen after just five minutes."

The British Heart Foundation among individuals, with some common and less common symptoms to keep an eye on.

• that happens suddenly and doesn't go away
• pain that spreads to your left or right arm, or to your neck, jaw, back or stomach. For some people the pain or tightness is severe, while for others it’s uncomfortable. It may feel like heaviness, or a burning pain similar to indigestion
• feeling sick, sweaty, light-headed or short of breath.

• a sudden feeling of anxiety that can feel similar to a panic attack
• lots of coughing or wheezing due to a build-up of fluid in the lungs.

However, the charity cautions: "It's possible to have a heart attack without experiencing all these symptoms, and it's important to remember everyone experiences pain differently."

"This is more likely in elderly people or people with diabetes, as the condition can cause nerve damage which affects how you feel pain. Discomfort in the chest can be caused by many things from a heart attack to indigestion and muscle strain."

The BHF says: "It's essential to dial 999 if you have any symptoms that could be a heart attack. If you think you need to be seen before you can speak to your GP but you don’t think you’re having a heart attack, call 111 for an assessment.

"Don't delay because you think are too busy - the still has systems in place to treat people for heart attacks. If you delay, you are more likely to suffer serious heart damage and more likely to need intensive care and to spend longer in hospital."

It adds: "It’s important you get medical attention immediately. Don’t worry about wasting paramedics’ time – a heart attack is a medical emergency."

You should:

• call 999 for an ambulance
• sit down and stay calm
• take 300mg aspirin if you have it and you're not allergic
• wait for the ambulance.