Early Warning Signs and Symptoms of Heart Disease and Stroke
Women's Cardiovascular Medicine Program
By knowing the symptoms of heart attack and stroke, women can seek early treatment and benefit from advanced medical treatment.
Warning signs of a heart attack
- Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest lasting more than a few minutes
- Pain spreading to the shoulders, neck or arms
- Chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath
Stroke warning signs
- Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg on one side
- Sudden dimness or loss of vision, particulary in one eye
- Loss of speech, or trouble talking or understanding speech
- Sudden, severe headaches with no apparent cause
- Unexplained dizziness, especially with any of the previous symptoms


