If you have a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1

Know the Warning Signs for
Heart Attack and Stroke

Did you know that most heart attacks start slowly, with only mild pain and discomfort? Many people experiencing them don't know what's wrong and wait too long to get the help they need.

Today, heart attack and stroke victims can benefit from new technology and medications that can save lives—but to get their full benefit, quick action is required.

That's why it's so important to reduce risk factors and to know how to respond quickly and properly when warning signs occur, by calling 9-1-1.

Know the Warning Signs for Heart Attack

Heart attack signs or symptoms seen in both men and women may include*:

• Chest discomfort / Chest Pain
  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
  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.

*Sings/symptoms compiled from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.

Additional heart attack signs or symptoms common in women may include:

Although chest pain is the most common symptom of a women's heart attack, women often experience vague chest discomfort frequently described as pressure, burning, tightness or an ache.

• Heart palpitations or abnormally weak and/or rapid pulse.
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting or a sick stomach.
• Gray facial color.
• Vomiting.
• Indigestion.
• Weakness.
• Fatigue.
• Dizziness.
• Lightheadedness.
• Shoulder blade pain.
• Change in migraine pattern, migraine with aura.

Know the Warning Signs for Stroke*

Signs or symptoms for stroke seen in both men and women may include:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg—especially on one side of the body.
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.

Additional stroke signs or symptoms common in women may include:

• Sudden face and limb pain.
• Sudden hiccups.
• Sudden nausea.
• Sudden general weakness.
• Sudden chest pain.
• Sudden shortness of breath.
• Sudden palpitations.

*Sings/symptoms compiled from the National Stroke Association.