Pain that spreads to the shoulders, neck or arms. Chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, nausea or shortness of breath. Heart attacks and strokes are life-threatening emergencies. Every second counts. If you have one or more of these symptoms, call 911 immediately.
Treatment is more effective when given quickly.
Doing so could save 5,000 to 10,000 American lives annually. But some studies have shown that women who tell their doctors about chest pain are not treated as aggressively as are men. Women who are not satisfied with a physician's evaluation of their chest discomfort should be persistent and seek another opinion. A stroke occurs when not enough blood gets to the brain, or in some cases, from bleeding in the brain. Without oxygen, nerve cells in the affected area of the brain are unable to function and then die within minutes.