Heart Attack & Stroke
Recognize the Signs and Get Help Quickly
A heart attack or stroke is a medical emergency, and every second counts. The faster you or a loved one recognizes the symptoms and gets help, the better your chances of surviving, with the least amount of damage to your heart or brain.
Once you’ve had an event, you’re at greater risk of having another in the future. But keep in mind that the symptoms of a second event can be different from what you experienced the first time. If your doctor says that you are at risk for a heart attack or stroke, pay attention to the signs below.
Heart Attack Warning Signs
The main symptom of a heart attack is chest pain or discomfort. It can also feel like pressure, fullness or squeezing in your chest. These feelings may start gradually and get worse, or they may come and go.
Women are more likely than men to experience symptoms other than chest pain, including:
- discomfort in your upper body, including arms, neck, jaw, back, or stomach
- shortness of breath
- feeling lightheaded or nauseous
- unusual heartburn
Women may also feel tired or anxious weeks before a heart attack.
Stroke Warning Signs
Think F.A.S.T. when it comes to recognizing a stroke:
Face Drooping: Is your face numb? Does one side of your face droop when you try to smile?
Arm Weakness: Is one arm weak or numb? Raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
Speech Difficulty: Is your speech slurred? Are you unable to speak? Try to say a simple sentence like “The sky is blue.”
Time to Call 911: If you notice any of these symptoms, even if they go away, call 911 right away.
Other sudden stroke symptoms can include:
- numbness or weakness in your leg, face, or arm, especially on one side of the body
- confusion or trouble understanding
- trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance and coordination
- severe headache with no known cause
Recognize the symptoms and get to the hospital quickly to help prevent damage to your heart and brain. Once you’re at the hospital, you may receive treatments and procedures that can help stop the progress of heart attacks and strokes.
Don't Wait
Call 911 as soon as you notice symptoms. Don’t wait to see if they get better or try to drive yourself to the hospital.
Check Your Risk
Use the calculator at ccccalculator.ccctracker.com to check your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Then ask your doctor what steps you can take to prevent one. He or she may talk to you about eating healthier foods, being more active, or quitting smoking.