Warning Signs & Symptoms of Heart Attack and Stroke
Heart attack and stroke are life-or-death emergencies — every second counts. If you think you or someone you’re with has any symptoms of heart attack or stroke, call 911 immediately.
Signs and Symptoms of Heart Attack
If you have any of these signs, call 9-1-1 and get to a hospital right away.
- Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back.
- Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
- Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
- Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
- As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort.
But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.
Signs and Symptoms of Stroke
If you have any of these signs, call 9-1-1 and get to a hospital right away.
- 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 or blurred vision in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Download a PDF of the warning signs of heart attack and stroke.
If you think you or someone you’re with has any symptoms of heart attack or stroke, call 911 immediately.
Also in this section:
Learn How to Perform Hands-Only CPR
Hands-Only CPR can save a life, and it’s easy to learn. Find out more about the two steps to saving a life.
What is a silent heart attack?
A heart attack can actually happen without a person knowing it.
Common Questions about Heart Attack
It's important to know what a heart attack feels like and the actions you should take.
