Cardiovascular Emergency

STROKE  Warning Signs
(click this link to the American Stroke Association website)
* Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of body
* Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
* Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
* Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
* Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Steps:
1. Immediately call 911.  Early treatment (within the first 3 hours) will reduce long-term disability.

HEART ATTACK Warning Signs
(click this link to the the American Heart Association website)
* Chest discomfort (pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain) that lasts more than a few minutes or that
goes away and comes back
* Discomfort in other areas of the upper body (such as one or both arms, back, neck, jaw, stomach)
* Shortness of breath
* Cold sweat
* Nausea (may or may not include vomiting)
* Lightheadedness
Steps:
1. Immediately call 911.  Don’t wait even 5 min.  Don’t drive yourself to the hospital.  Fast treatment can
save your life.

HYPERTENSIVE CRISIS Warning Signs
(click the link to the American Heart Association website)
* Can occur when blood pressure reaches 180 systolic (top number) or 110 diastolic (bottom number)
or above
* Many people with high blood pressure do not experience symptoms
* Some people experience: severe headache, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, severe anxiety, stroke
or heart attack symptoms
Steps:
1. Go to the emergency room immediately to be evaluated.  Do not wait to see if your blood pressure
comes down on its own.