Your Heart, Your Life: A Community Health Worker's Manual for the Hispanic Community

Session 2 Handout Fast Action Saves Lives

Download Fast Action Saves Lives (54k) handout.

You may not be sure it is a heart attack. A heart attack may not be sudden or very painful. You may not be sure what is wrong. But it is important to check it out right away.

• Act fast. Call 9-1-1.
• Call 9-1-1 in 5 minutes or less. Do not drive yourself to the hospital.
• When you call 9-1-1, an emergency vehicle arrives right away. Medicines can be given at once.

To help survive a heart attack, take these steps:

• Learn the warning signs of a heart attack, and act fast if you feel them.
• Talk with family and friends about the warning signs and the need to call 9-1-1 right away.
• Ask your doctor about your heart attack risk and how to lower it.
• Complete the “My Emergency Card” handout.

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Information on this page is taken from the English print version of “Your Heart, Your Life, A Community Health Worker's Manual.” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, NIH Publication No. 08-3674, Originally Printed 1999, Revised May 2008.

Last Updated March 2012