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Heart attack and stroke: how to recognise the signs and be ready

Heart attack and stroke signs: a practical guide

⏱ 3 min read

Recognise, call at once, note the time. A guide based on official advice. The same text is in the free SurvivalZone.app and works without internet.

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In a heart attack or stroke, every minute of delay means tissue that cannot be saved. Even so, many people wait for hours, thinking it is tiredness or will pass.

The most important preparation is knowing the signs and not hesitating to call.

Signs of a heart attack

  1. Pain, pressure or burning in the chest lasting more than a few minutes.
  2. Pain spreading to the arm, jaw, back or stomach.
  3. Breathlessness, cold sweat, nausea, a sense of dread.
  4. In women, older people and people with diabetes, signs can be less typical, such as only breathlessness or weakness.

Signs of a stroke

  1. A drooping corner of the mouth, an uneven smile.
  2. Weakness or numbness of an arm or leg on one side.
  3. Slurred speech or trouble understanding words.
  4. Sudden vision problems, a severe headache, loss of balance.

The time matters

  1. If you notice these signs, call 112 straight away. Note when they started and tell the paramedics: treatment choices depend on it, especially in a stroke. Do not drive yourself to hospital if you can call an ambulance.

Preparing at home

  1. If someone in your family has a heart condition or has had a stroke, keep a list of their medicines and conditions somewhere visible and on your phone. Ask the doctor whether particular medicines should be in your first aid kit for chest pain. Find out where the nearest AED defibrillator is.

Checklist

  1. Signs of a heart attack known
  2. Signs of a stroke known
  3. The rule: call at once and note the time
  4. List of medicines and conditions on paper and phone
  5. Talk with the doctor about the home kit
  6. Nearest AED found
  7. A first aid course

See also

Frequently asked questions

How do I recognise a stroke?

A drooping mouth, weakness of an arm or leg on one side, slurred speech. If you see these signs, call 112 and note the time.

Does a heart attack always cause chest pain?

Not always. In women, older people and people with diabetes it may only cause breathlessness, weakness or stomach pain.

Should I drive to hospital with chest pain?

It is better to call an ambulance on 112. Paramedics will start treatment on the way and take you to the right hospital.

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Sources

Official sources are checked automatically every day. Last check: 2026-11-04.

General guidance only; it does not replace the emergency services. If a life is in danger, call 112.