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24/7 advanced emergency heart attack care

Our heart and vascular experts know the sooner treatment begins, the greater chance of a positive outcome.

Know the warning signs of a heart attack

Recognizing these symptoms can save lives. If you think you or someone close to you is having a heart attack, call 911.

Classic symptoms

  • Chest pain: pressure or squeezing that lasts for several minutes or comes and goes in waves
  • An uncomfortable sensation in your arm, jaw, neck or back
  • Shortness of breath

Other related symptoms

  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Sweating
  • Clammy skin

Women can often have more mild symptoms in addition to the classic symptoms

  • Palpitations
  • Indigestion
  • Fatigue
  • Flu-like symptoms

How people who have had heart attacks describe the feeling

  • An elephant sitting on my chest
  • Pain between my shoulder blades
  • Someone squeezing my heart inside my chest
  • Being run over by a truck

Heart attack risk factors

Learn more about what increases the chances of heart attack.

Risks you can manage

Weight

Carrying extra body fat can increase your risk of heart attack. Talk with your doctor about a plan to maintain a healthy weight.

High blood pressure

Maintaining a healthy blood pressure and cholesterol level are two big steps toward a heart-healthy lifestyle. Both can often be managed with a healthy diet, but your doctor may prescribe medications to keep your levels normal. Blood pressure and cholesterol should be checked regularly.

Exercise

Regular exercise — even daily walks — can reduce your risk of heart disease. Your doctor can help you begin a manageable exercise plan.

Smoking

Tobacco use can dramatically increase your risk for heart attack and stroke. Even if you’ve tried and failed to quit smoking in the past, there are groups and plans available to help you kick the habit for good.

Diabetes

If you have diabetes, your risk of heart disease is significant. Properly managing your diabetes goes a long way toward controlling these risks, but you should share any concerns you have about your heart health with your primary care doctor or endocrinologist.

Risks not in your control

Age

Your risk of heart attack increases as you age. Most people who have heart attacks are 65 or older.

Sex

Men are more likely to have heart attacks than women, but it is important to remember that heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S.

Ethnicity

The rates for heart attack are higher in Black and Hispanic populations compared to whites.

Family history

Your risk of heart attack is higher if your parents or close relatives have heart disease.

 

Exceeding national treatment response standards

The most serious type of heart attack is known as STEMI, or ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Almost 400,000 people experience this serious heart attack every year. Our emergency alert system for STEMI patients has dramatically reduced time to treatment for thousands of patients, saving lives by seamlessly coordinating care.