Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Each year, about 1 million Americans will suffer a first or recurrent heart attack, and some 500,000 will not survive it. Despite these numbers, most people don’t know if they are at risk for a heart attack, and only about 1 in 4 Americans know the warning signs or what to do if a heart attack is suspected.
The majority of all heart attack deaths occur before a victim can get to a hospital. That’s why it’s so important to reduce your risk factors, know the warning signs, and know what to do if warning signs occur.
| Are You at Risk? | Know the Warning Signs! | What to Do—If You Think You’re Having a Heart Attack: | ||
| ☐ Men over 40 ☐ Women over 50 ☐ High cholesterol ☐ Diabetes ☐ High blood pressure ☐ Family history of heart disease ☐ Overweight ☐ Smokers ☐ Physical inactivity |
☐ Chest pain or discomfort ☐ Discomfort in other areas of the upper body (arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach) ☐ Shortness of breath ☐ Nausea ☐ Sweating ☐ Lightheadedness |
☐ Act fast. Never wait more than 5 minutes ☐ Call 9-1-1 or get to an emergency facility immediately ☐ Don’t drive yourself ☐ Chew and swallow an aspirin tablet as directed by your doctor. |
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| If you checked one or more of these boxes, you may be at a greater risk for a heart attack. Talk to your doctor about your risk factors and what emergency measures to take in case of a suspected heart attack. | Most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. If you or someone you’re with has chest discomfort, especially with one or more other signs (such as chest pain or shortness of breath), don’t wait, call 9-1-1 right away. Timing is everything. | Unless you are under specific instructions by a doctor to avoid aspirin, chewing a regular strength aspirin tablet during a suspected heart attack can help save your life. Research has shown that chewing an aspirin at the first sign of a heart attack significantly improves chances of survival. |
Read more about the role of aspirin during a suspected heart attack.