Holidaymaker thought he had heartburn - before being told he could suffer a massive heart attack within a year

Two patients have warned of their 'heartburn', which turned out to be the early signs of heart attack.

One holidaymaker experienced what he believed to be mild acid reflux during an uphill walk, before being told by doctors that he would have a 'massive heart attack within a year' if he did not undergo triple bypass surgery.

Another dedicated hiker had a heart attack the very moment medics came to check him out in hospital for what he thought was just 'indigestion'.

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The pair have shared their stories in a bid to encourage people to dial 999 when they are having early signs of a heart attack - a call that could be lifesaving, according to the NHS.

Common early symptoms of a heart attack include sweating, uneasiness and chest tightness, but NHS data reveals that fewer than half of people in the North West - 43 per cent - said they would call the emergency services if they or a loved one experienced these lesser known symptoms.

John Price, 73, an avid motorcyclist from Banks in Lancashire, was left gobsmacked when medics told him he could have a massive heart attack if he did not have major surgery within the year.

“My wife and I were on holiday at the time," says John.

"We’d gone walking and were walking up quite a steep slope and I got this pain in my throat. It was only there for a couple of minutes and when I stopped walking it subsided quite quickly.

“A few weeks later I went to see my doctor to ask about it. I just thought it was acid, but she wasn’t happy and she was obviously on the ball because she sent me straight to a rapid chest pain clinic.

"The questionnaire they made me fill in while I was there asked me