Warning signs ...

Reprinted from the American Heart Association website.  For more information go to www.heart.org

WARNING SIGNS OF HEART ATTACK, STROKE & CARDIAC ARREST

HEART ATTACK WARNING SIGNS

CHEST DISCOMFORT

Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. 

DISCOMFORT IN OTHER AREAS OF THE UPPER BODY

SHORTNESS OF BREATH

OTHER SIGNS

Learn more about heart attack

STROKE WARNING SIGNS

Spot a stroke F.A.S.T.:

- Face Drooping Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile.

- Arm Weakness Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

- Speech Difficulty Is speech slurred, are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like "the sky is blue." Is the sentence repeated correctly?

- Time to call 9-1-1 If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get them to the hospital immediately.

Learn more about stroke

CARDIAC ARREST WARNING SIGNS

SUDDEN LOSS OF RESPONSIVENESS

No response to tapping on shoulders.

NO NORMAL BREATHING

Learn more about cardiac arrest

Dial 9-1-1 Fast

Heart attack and stroke are life-and-death emergencies — every second counts. If you see or have any 

of the listed symptoms, immediately call 9-1-1 or your emergency response number. Not all these signs 

occur in every heart attack or stroke. Sometimes they go away and return. If some occur, get help fast! 

Today heart attack and stroke victims can benefit from new medications and treatments unavailable to 

patients in years past. For example, clot-busting drugs can stop some heart attacks and strokes in progress, 

reducing disability and saving lives. But to be effective, these drugs must be given relatively quickly after 

heart attack or stroke symptoms first appear. So again, don't delay — get help right away!

More about heart attack

Some heart attacks are sudden and intense — the "movie heart attack," where no one doubts what's happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help.

Immediately call 9-1-1 or your emergency response number so an ambulance (ideally with advanced life support) can be sent for you. As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain. Learn more about heart attack symptoms in women.

Learn the signs, but remember this: Even if you're not sure it's a heart attack, have it checked out (tell a doctor about your symptoms). Minutes matter! Fast action can save lives — maybe your own. Call 9-1-1 or your emergency response number.

Calling 9-1-1 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical services (EMS) staff can begin treatment when they arrive — up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. EMS staff are also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. Patients with chest pain who arrive by ambulance usually receive faster treatment at the hospital, too. It is best to call EMS for rapid transport to the emergency room.

Learn more about heart attack.

More about stroke

Immediately call 9-1-1 or the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) number so an ambulance can be sent. Also, check the time so you'll know when the first symptoms appeared. A clot-busting drug called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) may improve the chances of getting better but only if you get them help right away.

A TIA or transient ischemic attack is a "warning stroke" or "mini-stroke" that produces stroke-like symptoms. TIA symptoms usually only last a few minutes but, if left untreated, people who have TIAs have a high risk of stroke. Recognizing and treating TIAs can reduce the risk of a major stroke.

Beyond F.A.S.T. – Other Symptoms You Should Know

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the leg
• Sudden confusion or trouble understanding
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause

Learn more about stroke warning signs.

More about cardiac arrest

If these signs of cardiac arrest are present, tell someone to call 9-1-1 or your emergency response number and get an AED (if one is available) and you begin CPR immediately.

If you are alone with an adult who has these signs of cardiac arrest, call 9-1-1 and get an AED (if one is available) before you begin CPR.

Use an AED as soon as it arrives.

For more information, visit our cardiac arrest website.