Heart Attack: The Warning Signs


  • Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, a squeezing sensation as if a band were being tightened around the chest, pain in the center of the chest lasting longer than 2 minutes
  • Pain that spreads to the shoulders, arms, or neck
  • The above warning signs as well as dizziness, fainting, sweating, nausea, and shortness of breath

What You Should Do If These Signs Appear

If you have chest discomfort lasting more than 2 minutes:

  • Do not deny what may be occurring.
  • Call the emergency service or have a friend or family member drive you to the nearest hospital that has 24 hour emergency cardiac care. Know in advance which hospitals have such a service.
  • Prominently display the telephone number of the emergency rescue service and also carry a copy with you.

Stroke: The Warning Signs

The American Heart Association suggests that people be familiar with the following warning signs:

  • Temporary loss of speech or difficulty in speaking or understanding speech
  • Unexplained dizziness, unsteadiness, or sudden falls
  • Temporary dimness or loss of vision, particularly in one eye
  • Sudden, temporary weakness or numbness of the face, arm, and leg on one side of the body occurrence of a series of minor strokes, or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)

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