During this month of all things heart-related, we’ve provided information about how to care for your heart and the hearts of those you love, ideally preventing heart disease or sudden heart complications. But it is also important to recognize the signs of events like heart attack and stroke, so that you can act swiftly for the best possible outcome.
HEART ATTACK SYMPTOMS
Some heart attacks happen suddenly and obviously, as is often shown in movies. Most heart attacks, however, begin slowly with a mild discomfort. Not all heart attacks look the same. Here are some symptoms you might experience or observe in someone at the onset of a heart attack:
Chest Discomfort. This is usually in the center of the chest and lasts more than a few minutes. It might go away and come back. The discomfort could feel like pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
Upper Body Discomfort. Discomfort might occur in places other than the chest, such as one or both arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach.
Shortness of Breath. This could happen with or without chest discomfort.
Other Signs. The onset of a heart attack could include cold sweats, nausea or lightheadedness.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR WOMEN
While each of the above symptoms can occur in women or men, women are more likely to have these particular symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Heartburn, indigestion, nausea or vomiting
- Back or jaw pain
- Extreme fatigue
Some symptoms that seem to be a heart problem (palpitations, chills or faintness) could actually be symptoms of perimenopause. If you are experiencing these, you should speak with your doctor.
WHAT TO DO
If you or someone you are with has chest discomfort or other heart attack symptoms, call 9-1-1 right away. Do not wait more than 5 minutes to call. It is better to call 9-1-1 than to drive to the hospital, because treatment can begin in an ambulance on the way to the hospital and emergency response teams (EMS) are trained to revive a person if his/her heart stops.
If you see heart attack symptoms in someone and can’t reach EMS, drive him/her to the hospital. If you are experiencing heart attack symptoms, do not drive yourself to the hospital unless you have no other choice.
People sometimes wait to respond because they doubt they really are having a heart attack. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
STROKE SYMPTOMS: ACT F.A.S.T.!
In the case of a stroke, every minute counts. Look for the following symptoms and then call 911 right away.
Face Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
Face Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
Arms Ask him/her to raise both arms and watch to see if one drifts downward.
Speech Ask the person to repeat a sentence. Can he/she speak clearly and repeat it correctly?
Time If you see any of these symptoms, time is important because brain cells are at risk. Call 911 and get him/her to the hospital for treatment as soon as possible.
Share this information with your loved ones. You may want to post it in a visible place in your home so that it becomes familiar. It could save a life or dramatically improve the long-term outcome of a heart attack or stroke. If you have concerns about your risk for a heart-related incident, speak with your family doctor or contact the HealthNEXT team.
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