Heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases are among the leading causes of death in the United States. It is crucial to know the warning signs of a heart attack and get help immediately. Remember that calling 911 is the quickest way to get lifesaving treatment.

Warning signs vary depending on the condition. Some of the most common warning signs for a heart attack include:

• Chest pain that starts out as mild discomfort and builds in intensity
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body
• Shortness of breath
• Breaking out in a cold sweat
• Feeling dizzy, light-headed or nauseated

You may not experience all of these symptoms, so don’t delay getting help if you think you’re having a heart attack. When in doubt, call 911. It may save your life.

Warning signs for a stroke may include the following:

• Numbness or weakness in the face, arms or legs, particularly on one side of the body
• Confusion or difficulty in speaking
• Trouble with vision in one or both eyes
• Difficulty in walking or with balance or coordination

If you think you or a loved one may be having a stroke, use FAST (a simple acronym developed by the National Stroke Association) to check for signs of stroke and get help. Follow these four steps:

Step One

Check for numbness or weakness in the face (the F in FAST) by asking the person to smile. If one side of the face droops or the person can’t smile, it may mean stroke. Strokes cause weakness or numbness to the face. The numbness or weakness is usually limited to one side of the face.

Step Two

Look for muscle weakness. Ask the person to raise both arms (the A in FAST). If one arm drifts down or can’t be raised, it may mean stroke. Strokes cause muscle weakness or numbness in the arms or legs, usually limited to one side. The person may also have trouble walking or keeping balance.

Step Three

Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. If the speech (the S in FAST) is slurred or hard to understand, or the person has trouble remembering the words to repeat, it may mean stroke. Strokes cause sudden difficulty with speech and comprehension, as well as dizziness and confusion.

Step Four

Get help immediately if you or someone else experience any of the signs of stroke. Call 911 or get the person to a hospital. Tell emergency medical personnel you’re dealing with a possible stroke, so they can start proper treatment right away. Time (the T in FAST) is the most important factor in helping someone survive a stroke or limit its effects.

There are many other heart conditions and diseases that may not present immediate symptoms or warning signs. Knowing your risk factors is important. Risk factors that can contribute to heart-related problems include:

• Smoking
• Family history of heart disease
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Eating a diet high in fat
• Not exercising regularly
• Being overweight