Signs of a heart attack

The most common sign of a heart attack is mild or strong pain or discomfort in the center of the chest.  It can last more than a few minutes, or it can go away and come back. 

 

Other common signs of a heart attack include:

 

• Pain or discomfort in one of both arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach
• Shortness of breath (feeling like you can’t get enough air)
• Nausea or vomiting
• Feeling faint or woozy
• Breaking out in a cold sweat

 

Women may feel very tired, sometimes for days or weeks before a heart attack occurs.  

Women may also have heartburn, a cough, heart flutters, or lose their appetite.

 

 

Signs of a stroke

 

A stroke happens fast.  The most common signs of a stroke are sudden:

 

• Numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination.
• Confusion or trouble speaking or understanding.
• Severe headache with no known cause.

 

If you have any of these symptoms or see anyone with these symptoms, call 911 right away.  Don’t let anyone tell you that you are overreacting or to wait and see.  Treatment for heart attack and stroke should be started right away.  It’s better to be safe than sorry!

 

 

Symptoms of Other Health Problems

 

Symptoms of reproductive health problems:

 

• Bleeding or spotting between periods
• Itching, burning, or irritation (including bumps, blisters, or sores) of the genital area
• Pain or discomfort during sex
• Severe or painful bleeding with periods
• Moderate to severe pelvic or abdominal pain
• Unusual (for you) vaginal discharge of any type or color or with strong odor
• Pain or other problems while urinating or moving bowels

 

Symptoms of breast problems:

 

• Hard lump or knot in or near the breast or in your under-arm
• Dimpling, puckering, or ridges of the skin on the breast
• Clear of bloody fluid that leaks out of the nipple
• Itchy or scaly sore or rash on the nipple
• Unusual swelling, warmth, or redness

 

Symptoms of lung problems:

 

• Coughing up blood or mucus
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• A cough that won’t go away
• Uncomfortable or painful breathing
• A feeling of tightness in the chest

 

Symptoms of stomach or digestive problems:

 

• Bleeding from the rectum
• Blood or mucus in the stool (including diarrhea) or stools are not the normal brown color
• Change in bowel habits or not being able to control bowels
• Constipation, diarrhea, or both
• Heartburn or acid reflux (feels like burning in throat or mouth)
• Stomach pain or discomfort, such as bloating
• Nausea and vomiting
• Unexplained weight loss or weight gain

 

Symptoms of bladder problems:

 

• Difficult or painful urination
• Frequent urination, intense urges to urinate, or loss of bladder control
• Urine that is bloody, cloudy, dark, or strong smelling
• Long-term pain in the back or sides

 

Symptoms of skin problems:

 

• Changes in the skin, such as changes in existing moles or new growths
• Moles that are no longer round or have irregular borders
• Moles that change colors or change in size (usually get bigger)
• Frequent flushing (a sudden feeling of heat)
• Jaundice (when the skin and whites of the eyes turn yellow)
• Painful, crusting, scaling, or oozing sores that don’t heal
• Skin burns easily or breaks out in rash from sun exposure

 

Symptoms of muscle or joint problems:

 

• Muscle pains and body aches that don’t go away, or that come and goes often
• Numbness, tingling (pins-and-needles sensation), or discomfort in hands, feet, or limbs
• Pain, stiffness, swelling, or redness in or around joints