Recognizing Warning Signs and Symptoms

It’s important that you and those around you can spot the signs of a stroke and heart attack. Knowing what to look for and getting medical attention quickly can improve your chances of recovering.

Heart Attack Warning Signs

Pain or discomfort in chest. 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. May occur with or without chest discomfort.

Other signs. These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

B.E. F.A.S.T. Warning Signs

Use the letters in B.E. F.A.S.T. to spot a stroke:

B = Balance Loss — Is there sudden loss of balance or coordination? Is the person having trouble walking or experiencing dizziness?
E = Eye (Vision) Changes — Are there sudden changes in vision? Ask the person if they are experiencing blurred vision, double vision, or loss of sight in one or both eyes.
F = Face Drooping — Does one side of the face droop, or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person's smile uneven?
A = Arm Weakness — Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S = Speech Difficulty — Is their speech slurred or difficult to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence.
T = Time to Call 9-1-1 — If you have any of these symptoms or see someone else having them, call 911 immediately!

Stroke Symptoms

Watch for sudden:

NUMBNESS or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially if it’s only on one side of the body
CONFUSION, trouble speaking, or understanding speech
SEVERE HEADACHE with no known cause