Signs of a Heart Attack:

* Chest Discomfort: uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in
the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away
and comes back.

* Discomfort in Other Areas of the Upper Body: can include pain or
discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

* Shortness of Breath: often comes with or before chest discomfort.

* Other Signs: may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or
light-headedness.

The most important thing to remember is that every minute counts, even if
the symptoms seem to disappear! Please, know that not everyone gets all of
these warning signs, and that sometimes these signs can go away and return.
Treatments are most effective if given within one hour of when the attack
begins.

If you think you, or someone else, may be having a heart attack, you must
act quickly to prevent disability or death. Wait no more than a few
minutes, 5 at most, before calling 9-1-1.

It is important to call 9-1-1 because emergency medical personnel can begin
treatment even before you get to the hospital. They also have the equipment
and training to start your heart beating again if it stops. Calling 9-1-1
quickly can save your life.

Even if symptoms stop completely in less than five minutes, you should
still call your doctor.

Not everyone who experiences a heart attack has the "classic" symptoms of
intense chest pain with pain shooting down the left arm. In fact, women
often have more subtle symptoms.

Women also tend to delay longer than men in getting help for a possible
heart attack. Some people delay because they don't want to bother or worry
others, especially if their symptoms turn out to be a "false alarm." But
when you're facing something as serious as a possible heart attack, it is
much better to be safe than sorry. Remember, if you have any symptoms of a
possible heart attack that last up to 5 minutes, call 9-1-1 right away.

Visit the our Health Information area for more on heart attacks
information:
<http://www.rush.edu/rumc/page-P06688.html>

Visit our site for information on the Heart and Vascular Institute home
page for information about our services at Rush:
<http://www.rush.edu/rumc/page-R11761.html>