BLOG

National Health Awareness Month is an opportunity to remind ourselves that recognizing the warning signs of a life-threatening emergency—and knowing what to do next—can dramatically improve someone’s chance of survival. Whether you’re at home, at work, or out in your community, you don’t have to be a healthcare professional to make a difference.

Three of the most critical emergencies everyone should recognize are heart attack, cardiac arrest, and stroke. While these conditions are often confused, they are very different medical emergencies that require immediate action.

Heart Attack: Time Is Heart Muscle

A heart attack occurs when blood flow to part of the heart is blocked, preventing oxygen from reaching the heart muscle. Without prompt treatment, permanent damage can occur.

Common warning signs include:

• Chest pain, pressure, squeezing, or discomfort
• Pain spreading to the arm, shoulder, neck, jaw, or back
• Shortness of breath
• Cold sweat
• Nausea or vomiting
• Lightheadedness or unusual fatigue (especially in women)

Symptoms may begin gradually or suddenly, and they should never be ignored.

What to do:

• Call 911 immediately if you suspect a heart attack.
• Keep the person calm and seated while waiting for emergency responders.
• If advised by emergency dispatch or healthcare providers and the person is not allergic or experiencing active bleeding, chewing aspirin may be appropriate—but emergency medical services should always be activated first.

Cardiac Arrest: Every Second Counts

Unlike a heart attack, cardiac arrest happens when the heart suddenly stops beating effectively. Blood flow to the brain and other vital organs stops almost immediately.

Signs of cardiac arrest include:

• Sudden collapse
• Unresponsiveness
• No normal breathing or only gasping

Without treatment, survival decreases rapidly with every passing minute.

What to do:

1. Call 911 immediately.
2. Begin high-quality CPR right away.
3. Send someone to retrieve an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) if one is available.
4. Continue CPR until EMS arrives or the person begins breathing normally.

Early CPR and early defibrillation are among the most important factors in surviving sudden cardiac arrest.

Stroke: Remember BE FAST

A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted or when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures. Brain cells begin to die within minutes, making immediate treatment critical.

The easiest way to recognize a stroke is the BE FAST acronym:

• B – Balance: Sudden loss of balance or coordination
• E – Eyes: Sudden vision changes
• F – Face: One side of the face droops
• A – Arms: One arm becomes weak or numb
• S – Speech: Speech is slurred or difficult
• T – Time: Call 911 immediately

Never drive someone having a stroke to the hospital unless instructed to do so. Emergency medical services can begin treatment sooner and notify the hospital that a stroke patient is arriving.