Mr Wettenhall said this year, the Heart Foundation is asking Queenslanders one important question - Will you recognise your heart attack?

"Heart disease is the single leading cause of death in Australia - one person dies from a heart attack every 46 minutes," he said.

"There's no better time than Heart Week to learn about the symptoms of a heart attack.

"Knowing the warning signs and acting quickly can reduce damage to heart muscle and increase the chance of survival.

"The warning signs can be varied and differ for each person - heart attacks are not always sudden or severe, with many starting with only mild pain or discomfort.

"Symptoms usually last for at least 10 minutes and can come on suddenly or develop over minutes and get progressively worse.

"In addition to discomfort or pain in the chest, warning signs can also include pressure or discomfort in the neck, shoulders, arms, back and jaw," Mr Wettenhall.

Other signs and symptoms include:

• feeling short of breath
• feeling nauseous
• a cold sweat
• feeling dizzy or light-headed
• a choking feeling in the throat
• arms feeling heavy and useless.

Too many people lose their lives because they don't recognise the symptoms and wait too long to call Triple Zero (000).

It's always better to call Triple Zero and find out it's not a heart attack than to wait until it's too late.

Mr Wettenhall said the Bligh Government is determined to make Queenslanders Australia's healthiest people.

"Heart Week is also an opportunity for residents to learn more about heart disease, its causes and preventative measures," he said.

"Risk factors that contribute to heart disease include medical conditions such as high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and kidney disease and lifestyle factors such as smoking, physical inactivity and obesity.

"Most of these risk factors can and should be adjusted to improve general well being and prevent experiencing a cardiac event."

Mr Wettenhall said to ensure good heart health, people should aim to:

• avoid smoking
• eat healthy foods to help lower blood cholesterol
• be physically active
• control their blood pressure
• optimise management of diabetes
• achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.

Heart Week is also a great opportunity to get involved in a Heart Foundation Walking group. Visit www.heartfoundation.org.au/walking for information or to register for a walking group.

For important information on recognising the symptoms of a heart attack visit: www.heartattackfacts.org.au .
For further information about the Heart Foundation or Heart Week 2010 visit: www.heartfoundation.org.au or call 1300 362 787.