Everyone knows that a heart attack and stroke are life-and-death emergencies. But not everyone knows how important it is to get immediate help. The American Heart Association and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute have published a list of symptoms to monitor.
If you have any of the listed symptoms, call 911. Not all the signs occur in every heart attack or stroke. Sometimes they go away and return later. Don't take chances.
Heart attack and stroke victims can now benefit from medications that didn't exist even a few years ago. Clot-busting drugs can stop some heart attacks and strokes in progress, reduce disability, and save lives. These drugs must be given soon after heart attack or stroke symptoms first appear in order to be effective.
Serious Statistics
Coronary heart disease is America's number-one killer. Stroke is the third leading cause of death and a major cause of serious disability. You can reduce your risk factors if know the warning signs, and know what to do if warning signs occur.
Heart Attack Warning Signs
Sometimes a heart attack is sudden and intense, and there is no doubt about what's happening. Most heart attacks, however, start slowly, and there is only mild pain or discomfort. You might not be sure what's wrong, and there is a danger of waiting too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:
- Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that will last more than a few minutes. The pain might go away and come back later. 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. This feeling often comes along with chest pain or discomfort. It can also occur before the chest discomfort.
- Other signs. Watch for breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness.
If you or someone with you has chest discomfort, especially with one or more of the other signs, don't wait longer than five minutes before calling for help. Call 911 – the sooner the better. Get to a hospital right away.
911 is the Fastest Way
Calling 911 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical services staff can begin treatment when they arrive – almost always sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. The staff is also trained to revive someone if the heart has stopped. And you'll probably get treated faster in the hospital if you come by ambulance.
If you can't get through to 911 or the emergency medical services (EMS) number, 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.
Stroke Warning Signs
The American Stroke Association lists these warning signs for a stroke:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
- Sudden trouble seeing with one or both eyes.
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
- Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.
If you or someone with you has one or more of these signs, call 911 immediately, or the emergency medical services (EMS) number so an ambulance (ideally with advanced life support) can be sent for you.
It is necessary to check the time so you'll know when the first symptoms appeared. It's very important to take immediate action. If started within three hours of the beginning of symptoms, a clot-busting drug treatment can reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke.
The Bottom Line
If you or someone with you has any of these symptoms, call 911 or EMS, and get to a hospital as fast as possible for treatment. A successful outcome often depends on how fast treatment is started. |
