Don't Hesitate. Call 9-1-1

Act fast if someone has signs of heart attack, stroke, or cardiac arrest.

Emergency Signs: When to Call 9-1-1

1. Signs of a Heart Attack

If you experience any of these signs, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number immediately.

  • Chest discomfort: Pressure, squeezing, fullness, pain, burning, or heaviness.
  • Upper body discomfort: Pain in the neck, jaw, shoulder, arms, or back.
  • Sweating: Sudden, cold sweats.
  • Nausea: Feeling sick to your stomach.
  • Shortness of breath: Difficulty breathing.
  • Light-headedness: Feeling dizzy or faint.

⚠️ Women’s Specific Signs

While chest pain is the most common sign, women can experience a heart attack without chest pressure. Be alert for:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Pressure or pain in the lower chest or upper abdomen
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
  • Upper back pressure
  • Extreme fatigue

2. Signs of Stroke

A stroke is a medical emergency. If you see these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Think “FAST”

  • F — Face drooping: One side of the face droops or is numb. Ask them to smile.
  • A — Arm weakness: One arm is weak or numb. Ask them to raise both arms—does one drift down?
  • S — Speech difficulty: Slurred speech, trouble speaking, or trouble understanding. Ask them to repeat a simple sentence.
  • T — Time to call 9-1-1: Call right away, even if symptoms go away.

Other Stroke Warning Signs

  • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg—especially on one side
  • Sudden confusion or trouble understanding
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance/coordination
  • Sudden severe headache with no known cause

DO NOT DRIVE: Do not drive yourself or the patient to the hospital. An ambulance will get you to the best hospital for stroke care and treatment can begin on the way.

Note the time: If possible, write down when symptoms first started (or when the person was last known well). This helps the care team choose the safest, most effective treatment.

3. Signs of Cardiac Arrest

When the heart stops beating, blood stops flowing to the brain and vital organs. Brain injury can begin within minutes.

  • Sudden collapse
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Unresponsiveness to touch or sound
  • Not breathing (or gasping/not breathing normally)