What Are the Warning Signs of Heart Attack?

Heart disease is our nation's number one killer. About half of the deaths from heart disease are from heart attacks, with at least 250,000 people dying before they get to a hospital. But many of those deaths can be prevented - by acting fast!

It you're having a heart attack, you may have some or all of these signs:

• You feel pressure. fullness, discomfort or squeezing in the center of your chest. It lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back.
• You feel pain that goes to your shoulders, neck or arms.
• You sweat and have discomfort in your chest and feel lightheaded, faint, sick to your stomach or short of breath.

What should I do if I suspect a heart attack?

• Call 911 or the emergency medical number in your area (fire department or ambulance).
• If you can get the victim to the hospital quicker by driving yourself (rather than waiting for an ambulance), do it. If you're having a heart attack, don't drive - ask someone to drive you and go to the nearest medical facility with 24-hour emergency cardiac care.

What else can I do?

If you're properly trained and it's necessary, you can give CPR (mouth-to-mouth breathing and chest compression) until help arrives.

Before there's an emergency, it's a good idea to find out which hospitals in your area have 24-hour cardiac care. Also, keep a list of emergency phone numbers next to your phone and with you at all times, just in case. Take these steps NOW.