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Heart Attack Signs & Symptoms
Dial 9-1-1
Every second counts. If you or someone you know is experiencing any heart attack symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately. Not all signs and symptoms occur with every heart attack and some symptoms may go away for a short time. But it's important to get help fast!
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. The EMS staff is 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.
If you can't access the emergency medical services (EMS), have someone drive you to the hospital right away. If you're the one having symptoms, don't drive yourself, unless you have absolutely no other option.
Today heart attack victims can benefit from new medications and treatments unavailable to patients in years past. For example, clot-busting drugs can stop some heart attacks in progress, reducing disability and saving lives. But to be effective, these drugs must be administered relatively quickly after heart attack or stroke symptoms first appear. So again, don't delay -- get help right away!
Heart Attack Warning Signs
Though some heart attacks are sudden and intense, most start slowly with mild pain or discomfort. Often heart attack victims aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is in process:
If you or someone you're with has chest discomfort, especially with one or more of the other signs, don't wait to call for help. Call 9-1-1 and get to a hospital right away.
Source: American Heart Association, www.americanheart.org
Dial 9-1-1
Every second counts. If you or someone you know is experiencing any heart attack symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately. Not all signs and symptoms occur with every heart attack and some symptoms may go away for a short time. But it's important to get help fast!
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. The EMS staff is 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.
If you can't access the emergency medical services (EMS), have someone drive you to the hospital right away. If you're the one having symptoms, don't drive yourself, unless you have absolutely no other option.
Today heart attack victims can benefit from new medications and treatments unavailable to patients in years past. For example, clot-busting drugs can stop some heart attacks in progress, reducing disability and saving lives. But to be effective, these drugs must be administered relatively quickly after heart attack or stroke symptoms first appear. So again, don't delay -- get help right away!
Heart Attack Warning Signs
Though some heart attacks are sudden and intense, most start slowly with mild pain or discomfort. Often heart attack victims aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is in process:
- Chest discomfort--Usually in the center of the chest, lasting more than a few minutes or intermittent waxing and waning discomfort. Often it feels like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
- Discomfort in upper body areas-- Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
- Shortness of breath--May occur with or without chest discomfort.
- Other signs--These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness
If you or someone you're with has chest discomfort, especially with one or more of the other signs, don't wait to call for help. Call 9-1-1 and get to a hospital right away.
Source: American Heart Association, www.americanheart.org