When to Seek Emergency Care

A heart attack occurs when blood flow to part of the heart is blocked. Quick action saves lives.

Classic Heart Attack Symptoms:

• Chest Discomfort: Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of the chest lasting more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back
• Pain in Other Areas: Discomfort spreading to one or both arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
• Shortness of Breath: May occur with or without chest discomfort
• Cold Sweat: Breaking out in a cold sweat without exertion
• Nausea or Lightheadedness: Feeling sick to your stomach or faint

Women May Experience:

• Chest discomfort (though less commonly than men)
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea or vomiting
• Back or jaw pain
• Unusual fatigue
• Dizziness

What to Do:

1. Call 911 immediately - Don't wait to see if symptoms go away 2. Chew an aspirin (325 mg regular aspirin or 4 baby aspirin) if not allergic 3. Stay calm and rest - Sit or lie down 4. Unlock the door if alone, so emergency responders can enter 5. Don't drive yourself to the hospital

Time Matters:

• The sooner treatment begins, the more heart muscle can be saved
• "Time is muscle" - every minute counts
• Treatments like clot-busting drugs or angioplasty work best when given early

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. Fast action is critical.

Remember F.A.S.T.:

• F - Face Drooping: Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile - is it uneven?
• A - Arm Weakness: Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms - does one drift downward?
• S - Speech Difficulty: Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask them to repeat a simple sentence.
• T - Time to Call 911: If someone shows ANY of these symptoms, call 911 immediately, even if symptoms go away.

Other Stroke Symptoms:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of leg
• Sudden confusion or trouble 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

What to Do:

1. Call 911 immediately - Note the time symptoms started 2. Don't give food, water, or medications - swallowing may be impaired 3. Keep the person comfortable - Help them lie down with head slightly elevated 4. Don't let them fall asleep until medical help arrives 5. Be ready to provide information to emergency responders

Why Time Matters:

• Clot-busting medication (tPA) must be given within hours
• Every minute without treatment, millions of brain cells die
• Faster treatment = better outcomes and less disability

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA):

• "Mini-stroke" with symptoms that resolve quickly
• Still requires emergency evaluation
• Warning sign of potential major stroke

Know when to seek immediate care for these conditions:

Sudden Cardiac Arrest:

• Person suddenly collapses
• No pulse or breathing
• Unresponsive to calling or shaking
• Action: Call 911, start CPR, use AED if available

Severe Bleeding (on Blood Thinners):

• Uncontrollable bleeding from a cut
• Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
• Blood in stool (black, tarry, or bright red)
• Severe nosebleed that doesn't stop
• Coughing up blood
• Action: Call 911 for severe bleeding

Blood Clots:

• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Swelling, pain, warmth, redness in one leg
• Pulmonary Embolism (PE): Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain (worse with breathing), rapid heart rate, coughing up blood
• Action: PE is an emergency - call 911

Severe Allergic Reaction:

• Swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Hives or widespread rash
• Action: Call 911 immediately

Device-Related Emergencies:

If you have a pacemaker or ICD:

• Multiple shocks from your ICD
• Signs of infection at the device site (fever, redness, swelling, drainage)
• Fainting or near-fainting
• Action: Call 911 or your doctor immediately

Post-Procedure Emergencies:

• Heavy bleeding at the procedure site that doesn't stop with pressure
• Signs of infection (fever, increasing redness/swelling/drainage)
• Loss of feeling or movement in the affected limb
• Chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting
• Action: Call 911 or your doctor immediately

Preparation can save precious time in an emergency:

Keep Important Information Ready:

• List of medications and dosages
• List of allergies
• Doctor's name and phone number
• Insurance information
• Emergency contact numbers

Know Where to Go:

• Location of nearest emergency room
• If you have a complex heart condition, know which hospital specializes in cardiac care

Educate Family Members:

• Teach them to recognize emergency symptoms
• Show them where emergency information is kept
• Consider having family members learn CPR

Learn CPR:

• CPR can double or triple survival from cardiac arrest
• Classes are available through the American Heart Association and Red Cross
• Hands-Only CPR is effective and easy to learn

Consider a Medical ID:

• Bracelet or necklace with critical medical information
• Helpful if you can't speak during an emergency
• Include conditions, medications, allergies

Program Your Phone:

• Add ICE (In Case of Emergency) contacts
• Include important medical information in your phone's emergency settings

Don't Delay:

• Don't second-guess your symptoms
• Don't worry about "bothering" emergency services
• Don't drive yourself - call 911
• Don't wait to see if symptoms improve

It's Better to Be Safe:

If something feels wrong, trust your instincts. It's always better to have symptoms checked and find out it's not an emergency than to wait and risk serious harm.