Early Heart Attack Care

Recognize the signs. Take early action. Save a life.

Heart attacks often have warning signs that appear hours even days before a major cardiac event. More than half of heart attack patients show these early symptoms, but too many ignore them until it’s too late. Early recognition and response can save lives, maybe even your own.

Common early heart attack signs include:

• Pressure, squeezing, fullness, or burning in the chest
• Pain traveling down one or both arms
• Jaw, neck, or back pain
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea or lightheadedness

If you or someone near you experiences these symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately. Do not drive yourself. Early care from trained professionals can prevent lasting heart damage or death.

Hands Only CPR

In an emergency, every second counts. The American Heart Association reports that Hands-Only CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival from cardiac arrest. You don’t need medical training, just two simple steps can keep vital organs alive until help arrives:

1. Call 9-1-1
2. Push hard and fast in the center of the chest

Explore online Hands Only CPR training provided by the American Heart Association HERE.

Know Your Heart Risk

Prevention begins with knowing your numbers. Use these tools to estimate your cardiovascular risk and discuss your results with your primary care provider:

• Cardiovascular Risk Calculators
• Early Heart Attack Care Education