Healthy lifestyle concepts: red heart shape plate with fresh fruits and vegetables shot on blue background. A digital blood pressure monitor, doctor stethoscope

Know the Warning Signs

Because you may not be diagnosed with coronary artery disease until you have a heart attack, angina, stroke or heart failure, it’s vital to watch for cardiovascular symptoms and discuss concerns with your physicians. 

The American Heart Association provides the following information on warning signs.

Heart Attack Symptoms

  • 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 with or without chest discomfort.
  • Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

Stroke Symptoms: How to spot a stroke F.A.S.T.

  • Face drooping
    Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. If the person’s smile uneven?
  • Arm weakness
    Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
  • Speech difficulty
    Is speech slurred, are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “the sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly?
  • Time to call 9-1-1
    If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get them to the hospital immediately.
  • Other signs may include sudden NUMBNESS or weakness of face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body; CONFUSION, trouble speaking or understanding speech; TROUBLE SEEING in one or both eyes; TROUBLE WALKING, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination; or SEVERE HEADACHE with no known cause.

Cardiac Arrest Symptoms

  • Sudden loss of responsiveness
    No response to tapping on shoulders.
  • No normal breathing
    The victim does not take a normal breath when you tilt the head up and check for at least five seconds.

If you think the person may be suffering cardiac arrest and you’re a trained lay rescuer:

  • Ensure scene safety
    No response to tapping on shoulders.
  • Check for response
  • Shout for help
    Tell someone nearby to call 911 or your emergency response number. Ask that person or another bystander to bring you an AED (automated external defibrillator), if there’s one on hand. Tell them to hurry – time is critical. If you’re alone with an adult who has signs of cardiac arrest, call 911 and get an AED (if one is available).
  • Check for no breathing or only gasping
    ell someone nearby to call 911 or your emergency response number. Ask that person or another bystander to bring you an AED (automated external defibrillator), if there’s one on hand. Tell them to hurry – time is critical. If you’re alone with an adult who has signs of cardiac arrest, call 911 and get an AED (if one is available
  • Begin high quality CPR
    Push down at least two inches in the center of the chest at a rate of 100 to 120 pushes a minute. Allow the chest to come back up to its normal position after each push.
  • Use an AED
    As soon as it arrives, turn it on and follow the prompts.
  • Continue CPR
    Administer it until the person starts to breathe or move, or until someone with more advanced training, such as an EMS team member, takes over.