BLACK NURSES COALITION, INC

Warning Signs Heart Attack/Stroke/Cardiac Arrest

 

HEART ATTACK WARNING SIGNS

*CHEST DISCOMFORT

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. 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 with or without chest discomfort.

*OTHER SIGNS may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

*CALL 9-1-1and get them to the hospital immediately...CPR

 

STROKE WARNING SIGNS

Spot a stroke F.A.S.T.:-

*Face Drooping Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile

*Arm Weakness Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

*Speech Difficulty Is speech slurred, are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like "the sky is blue." Is the sentence repeated correctly?

*Time to call 9-1-1 If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away,

CALL  9-1-1 and get them to the hospital immediately....CPR

 

 

CARDIAC ARREST WARNING SIGNS

*SUDDEN LOSS OF RESPONSIVENESS

*No response to tapping on shoulders.

*NO NORMAL BREATHING

The victim does not take a normal breath when you tilt the head up and check for at least five seconds.

*CALL 9-1-1and get them to the hospital immediately...CPR