Nine out of ten people in Yorkshire who make a new year’s resolution break it – but St John Ambulance has come up with one it hopes will beat the trend and save lives.

The first aid charity is urging people to make the resolution to watch a short film at sja.org.uk/4ps on how to spot and treat heart attack symptoms.

When a heart attack is treated promptly, it need not lead to a potentially fatal cardiac arrest – when the patient stops breathing and needs resuscitation.

Research from St John Ambulance shows nearly two thirds (65 per cent) of people in the region do not know the difference between a heart attack and a cardiac arrest. A third of the 92,000 British people who suffer from heart attacks each year tragically die.

The symptoms of a heart attack (known as the ‘Four Ps’) are: pain (in the chest); pulse (weak or rapid); pale (ashen skin) and perspiration (or profuse sweating).

If a heart attack is suspected, patients should be sat down with knees bent, head and back supported, 999 called and one 300mg aspirin given to chew slowly – as long as the patient is not allergic or under 16.

Simon Dunn, regional director for St John Ambulance, said: “We want to give people the chance to make an achievable and potentially life-saving new year’s resolution.

“We’re asking people to help us reduce heart attack deaths by watching our simple steps on how to spot a heart attack, and share it with friends. It’s quick, easy and free. We hope not, but this could be the year they need to use their knowledge.”