Knowledge is power! The more you know about warning signs for heart attack and stroke, the better your chance for optimal outcomes should you or a loved one experience either of these events. Become familiar with the following information:
Recognize the warning signs of a HEART ATTACK
- Chest discomfort - An uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of the chest. Usually lasts for more than a few minutes, or may go away and come back.
- Upper body discomfort - Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach.
- Other signs - Shortness of breath, cold sweats, lightheadedness, nausea.
If you think you are having a heart attack, call 911 immediately.
Recognize the warning signs of a STROKE
- Sudden numbness or weakness - Usually affects the face, arm or leg - especially on one side of the body.
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
- Sudden trouble seeing - Either in one eye or both eyes.
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance or coordination.
- Sudden severe headache with no know cause - "Worst headache of my life!"
If you think you are having a stroke, call 911 immediately.
Click here for a printable PDF of the warning signs listed above, compliments of Southwest General's Heart & Vascular Institute. If you are interested in a wallet-sized card of these warning signs, call the toll free 24-hour nurse practitioner support line at 1-877-SWG-BEAT (794-2328).
Information adapted from:
www.strokeassociation.org
www.americanheart.org.