Cardiovascular disease claims the lives of more than 800,000 adults each year, 150,000 of whom are under the age of 65.

Heart attack warning signs

Some heart attacks are sudden & intense.

  • Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes (3-5 min),
  • 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. The sharp pain shooting down your left arm or in your neck.
  • Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
  • Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or light-headedness.
  • Calling 9-1-1 is almost always the fastest way to get life-saving treatment.

Stroke warning signs

  • 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.
  • Remember FAST (Face. Arms. Speech. Time.): these simple steps can help determine if the person is experiencing a stroke

Face: Have the person smile & check for signs of weakness
Arms: Have the person raise both arms at the same time & check for weakness or numbness in one or both the limbs
Speech: Ask the person to say a simple sentence, check for any slurred speech or trouble speaking
Time: Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately & note the time the stroke signals started.

Cardiac arrest warning signs

Strikes immediately & without warning.

  • Sudden loss of responsiveness
  • No normal breathing
  • No pulse when checked at your pulse points. If these signs of cardiac arrest are present, tell someone to call 9-1-1 and get an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) (if one is available) and begin CPR immediately.