Warning Signs
Parish Nursing
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Heart Attack, Stroke & Cardiac Arrest Warning Signs
Quick Links:
Heart Attack Warning Signs
Stroke Warning Signs
Cardiac Arrest Warning Signs
Act in Time
The American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
have launched a new "Act in Time" campaign to increase people's awareness of
heart attack and the importance of calling 9-1-1 immediately at the onset of
heart attack symptoms. Find the links here.
Dial 9-1-1 Fast
Heart attack and stroke are life-and-death emergencies -- every second counts.
If you see or have any of the listed symptoms, immediately call 9-1-1. Not all
these signs occur in every heart attack or stroke. Sometimes they go away and
return. If some occur, get help fast! Today heart attack and stroke victims can
benefit from new medications and treatments unavailable to patients in years past.
For example, clot-busting drugs can stop some heart attacks and strokes in
progress, reducing disability and saving lives. But to be effective, these
drugs must be given relatively quickly after heart attack or stroke symptoms
first appear. So again, don't delay -- get help right away!
Statistics
Coronary heart disease is America's No. 1 killer. Stroke is No. 3 and a leading
cause of serious disability. That's why it's so important to reduce your risk
factors, know the warning signs, and know how to respond quickly and properly
if warning signs occur.
Heart Attack Warning Signs
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense - the "movie heart attack,"
where no one doubts what's happening. But most heart attacks start
slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't
sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are
signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:
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.
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.
Shortness of breath. May occur with or without chest discomfort.
Other signs: These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness
As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort.
But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the
other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath,
nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.
If you or someone you're with has chest discomfort, especially
with one or more of the other signs, don't wait longer than a
few minutes (no more than 5) before calling for help. Call 9-1-1...
Get to a hospital right away.
Calling 9-1-1 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving
treatment. Emergency medical services staff can begin treatment
when they arrive -- up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to
the hospital by car. The staff are also trained to revive someone
whose heart has stopped. Patients with chest pain who arrive by
ambulance usually receive faster treatment at the hospital, too.
If you can't access the emergency medical services (EMS), have someone
drive you to the hospital right away. If you're the one having symptoms,
don't drive yourself, unless you have absolutely no other option.
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Stroke Warning Signs
The American Stroke Association says these are the warning signs of stroke:
Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
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 services (EMS)
number so an 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 very 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.
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Cardiac arrest strikes immediately and without warning. Here are the signs:
Sudden loss of responsiveness. No response to gentle shaking.
No normal breathing. The victim does not take a normal breath when you check for several seconds.
No signs of circulation. No movement or coughing.
If cardiac arrest occurs, call 9-1-1 and begin CPR immediately. If an automated external defibrillator (AED) is available and someone trained to use it is nearby, involve them.