ACTION taking during the first few minutes of a heart attack can spell the difference between life and death.

All too often medical staff report that the early warning signs of a heart attack are dismissed as indigestion or heart burn.

And by the time that medical help is sought, the victim' chance of survival is far less than it would have been.

The issue is all the more important in Swindon, particularly in the under 65-year age group, who have a 50 per cent higher than average chance of having a heart attack.

But in a life-saving initiative, Swindon's newly formed Primary Care Trust has launched a joint campaign with Wiltshire St John Ambulance to arm ordinary people with the skills to recognise a heart attack and how keep someone alive until emergency services arrive.

Yesterday, PCT bosses presented the town's St John Ambulance branch with 20 resuscitation dummies to be used to teach Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation in a programme of free courses in the town.

The two-hour 'breath of life' courses will teach people the skills to perform CPR and how to recognise the signs and symptoms of someone having a heart attack.

Swindon Primary Care Trust chief executive Jan Stubbings said: "We are aiming to reach out into the community of Swindon to address this important issue.."

She explained that deprived areas of the town such as Penhill, Pinehurst, Park North, Park South, Central and Walcot areas would be targeted in the free training sessions which are due to be launched in June.

Last year over 400 people were admitted to the Coronary Care Unit at Princess Margaret Hospital having suffered a heart attack and many more died before reaching hospital.

Wiltshire St John Ambulance commander Lt Col John Jago said: "You never know when you might need these skills, but usually it is when you are least expecting it. The knowledge gained on these courses can really help save someone's life."

For more information about the courses, contact St John Ambulance on 01380 728362.

The former chairman of Swindon and District Community Health Council, John Walsh, 67, has good reason to support the latest initiative to tackle the human cost of heart disease.

Six years ago, Mr Walsh, who was working at the Particle Physics Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council, had a heart attack.

But it took some time before he realised the enormity of it.

"I felt giddy and had a shortness of breath. It took some time before I realised the seriousness of what was happening to me,'' he said.

"I was one of the lucky ones, I was taken to hospital and I received very prompt treatment. But every minute is vital to survival. This new initiative could help save many lives in Swindon."