• A sensation of pressure or pain in the chest, either when you are at rest or active
• Pain radiating down an arm – often the left arm – or to the jaw
• Other symptoms may include sweating, weakness or shortness of breath

In women, heart attack symptoms sometimes differ from that of men. They may include:

• Sudden weakness
• A slight pressure in the chest, or pressure to the back or stomach
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Heart palpitations

Patients already diagnosed with and receiving treatment for the heart condition known as angina pectoris should seek emergency treatment if they experience a new type of pain, or increased intensity or frequency of pain.

Heart attacks occur when a clot blocks an already-narrowed artery in the heart, cutting off the flow of blood. Fortunately, clot-busting medications, together with inventions such as balloon angioplasty and bypass surgery can help make this condition treatable, as long as treatment is sought immediately.

Symptoms of a Stroke
Call 911 if you experience:

• Weakness in your arm, leg or one side of your body
• A decrease in your level of consciousness
• Disorientation
• Difficulty speaking
• Dizziness or convulsions
• Sudden vision loss

The cause of a stroke may be a blood clot or a hemorrhage (bleeding) in the brain. Clot-busting drugs exist for blood clots in the brain, but their effectiveness in preventing damage depends upon the speed with which help is sought. Recovery from a cerebral hemorrhage is directly related to the length of time blood flow to the affected area of the brain is deficient or completely blocked.