Heart Attack Warning Signs

Heart Attack Warning Signs

Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but most of them start slowly, with mild pain or 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.

1.        Chest Discomfort – 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.

2.       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.

3.       Shortness of breath – This feeling often comes along with chest discomfort.  But it can occur with or without chest discomfort.

4.       Other signs.  These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

If you are the one having symptoms, and you can’t access the emergency medical services (EMS), have someone drive you to the hospital right away.  Don’t drive yourself, unless you have absolutely no other option

Stroke Warning Signs

Stroke Warning Signs

Stroke is a medical emergency.  Every second counts because time lost is brain lost!  Know these stroke warning signs and teach them to others:

1.        Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.

2.       Sudden confusing, trouble speaking or understanding.

3.       Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.

4.       Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.

5.       Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.

If you or someone with you has one or more of these signs, don’t delay!  Immediately call 9-1-1 or the emergency medical (EMS) number so any ambulance – ideally with advanced life support- can be sent for you.  Also, check the time so you’ll know when the first symptoms appeared.  It’s important to take immediate action.  If given within three hours of the start of symptoms, a clot-busting drug can reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke.