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A Legacy of Good Health
Beready to
act
IF
there’s any chance you—or anyone around
you—could be having a heart attack, a wait-and-
see approach is never a good choice.
Here are two reasons why:
1
The first hour after symptoms start is the
most dangerous time of a heart attack. This is
when your heart might suddenly stop beating.
Your very survival may depend on receiving
medical care.
2
Doctors today have clot-busting drugs and
artery-opening procedures that can reverse a
heart attack. These treatments can limit or prevent
damage to the heart. But to be most effective, they
must be given shortly after symptoms appear.
Even so, many people in the midst of a heart
attack delay getting emergency help.
Some let precious minutes slip by because they
falsely blame their symptoms on something else.
Still others are afraid of looking foolish if they go
to the hospital and learn they’re not having a heart
attack.
Don’t make either of those mistakes.
Know these heart attack warning signs, and
respond to them immediately by calling 911.
Sources: American Heart Association; National Institutes of Health
Chest discomfort.
This signature heart attack symptom
affects the center of the chest and lasts
for more than a few minutes—or goes
away and comes back. Discomfort
can feel like uncomfortable pressure,
squeezing, fullness or actual pain.
Sweating, nausea or
light-headedness.
Women in particular are prone to
nausea, vomiting or indigestion during
a heart attack. Other warning signs may
include a sudden feeling of dizziness or
unexplained or excessive sweating.
Discomfort elsewhere
in the body.
Pain or discomfort in the back, shoulders,
neck, jaw, stomach, or one or both arms
may be involved. Pain in the back, neck or
jaw is a more common heart attack symp-
tom for women than it is for men.
Shortness of breath.
This symptom can occur suddenly and
may happen while you are resting
or doing routine activities. It may
accompany chest discomfort or come
before it. Or it can be your only symptom.
DON’T DELAY
CALL 911
Know the signs
of a heart attack
If you’re uncertain about whether you’re having a
heart attack, don’t second-guess yourself.
Call 911 immediately when symptoms appear.
Source: National Institutes of Health
