Searsport Ambulance
Serving the Citizens and Visitors of Searsport, Maine
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Signs of a Stroke or a Heart Attack
**** This is not complete and is being updated****
 
Often dismissed as "heart burn" or "just a headache", heart attacks, also known as a myocardial infarction (M.I.) and strokes, also known as a cerebral vascular accident (C.V.A.) are true life-threatening emergencies where time is of great importance.
 
Here you will find typical signs and symptoms of a heart attack and stroke.  If you think that you or a loved one (a neighbor, an acquaintance or a stranger, for that matter) is having signs of a stroke or heart attack, call 911 immediately.  It is important to note that a person may only be exhibiting one or two signs or symptoms of either a heart attack or stroke.  Just because you do not have all the signs does not mean you are not having an event.
 
Humans were made with ten fingers/toes, two arms, two legs, two kidneys and two eyes.  Lose one of any of them and a person can still live a rewarding life.  But humans were only made with one brain and one heart.  Damage either one and the consequences are life altering.

 Heart Attack Signs and Symptoms

  • Chest discomfort.  It may be pain, pressure or a "full" feeling.  Often people describe the sensation as a large weight on their chest.  Others describe it as a pain that shoots through their chest. Chest discomfort may come on during exertion, stress or even at rest!
  • Radiation of the chest discomfort to the arms, jaw or back.
  • Shortness of Breath.  Many describe difficulty in catching their breath.
  • Nausea
  • The urge to move bowels.  Many patients are found in the bathroom!
  • Sweaty skin.
  • Denial.  People will dismiss all of the above symptoms as "heart burn", "my asthma acting up", "something I ate" or other excuses.  It is better to be safe than sorry!

 Stroke Symptoms

  • Headache.  Some have described it as a sudden onset of the worst headache they've had in their life.  Others describe it as a persistent and worsening headache over many hours or days.
  • Suddenly passing out and quickly regaining consciousness.  This may be a sign of bleeding in the brain and as the blood collects, the worse symptoms will get over time.
  • Slurred or garbled speech. 
  • Facial drooping.
  • Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body.
  • Nausea
  • Vision disturbances