Emergencies & safety
Heart attack warning signs
A heart attack doesn’t always look like the movies. Quiet, “off” feelings can matter just as much as chest pain.
Common signs
- Pressure, squeezing, or fullness in the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or comes and goes.
- Pain spreading to the arm, back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
- Shortness of breath, cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness.
- In women and older adults: unusual fatigue, indigestion, or just “not right” — without big chest pain.
A few tips
- When in doubt, call. It is always better to be checked and sent home than to wait.
When to get help
- Call 911 immediately. While you wait, help them sit, stay calm, and loosen tight clothing. Give aspirin only if a clinician or dispatcher tells you to.
Listening to a worry is never an overreaction. You know them best.
Carry the whole library in your pocket
This is one of dozens of guides and uplifting activities inside Careboundless — the caregiving app that keeps your guides, medications, schedule, and family in one calm place. ∞
Join the waitlist — it's free to startCareboundless is a care-coordination and support tool, not a medical provider. This is general information, not medical advice — in an emergency call 911, and always consult a qualified professional for health decisions.