Cardiovascular

Emergencies

Heart Attack
Blood supply to part of the heart
muscle is reduced or stopped.
Recognizing a heart attack
Chest pressure, squeezing, or pain that
lasts longer than a few minutes or goes
away and comes back
Pain spreading to shoulders, neck, jaw,
or arms
Dizziness, sweating, nausea
Shortness of breath

Care for a Heart Attack

Call 9-1-1.
Help victim into
comfortable
position.
Assist with
prescribed
medications.
Nitroglycerin

Provide aspirin.
Regular or chewable

Angina
Heart muscle does not get enough blood.
Brought on by physical activity.
Recognizing angina
Signs are similar to heart attack.
Usually does not last longer than 10 minutes.
Almost always relieved by nitroglycerin.

Care for Angina

Have the victim rest.
If the victim has nitroglycerin, help
the victim use it.
If pain lasts longer than 10 minutes,
suspect a heart attack and call 9-1-1.

Risk Factors of
Cardiovascular Disease
Cannot be changed
Heredity
Gender
Age

Can be changed
Smoking
High blood
pressure
High cholesterol
Diabetes
Obesity
Inactivity
Stress

Stroke (Brain Attack)

(1 of 2)

Blood flow to brain

disrupted
Blocked or ruptured
blood vessel

Stroke (Brain Attack)

(2 of 2)

Recognizing stroke
Weakness, numbness, partial paralysis
Blurred or decreased vision
Problems speaking
Dizziness or loss of balance
Sudden, severe headache

Care for Stroke

Seek medical care.
If responsive, lay patient on back with
head and shoulders slightly elevated.
If vomiting, place in recovery position.