A stroke often shows up as sudden face drooping, arm weakness, trouble speaking, loss of balance or a change in vision. A heart attack often brings chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, light-headedness, or pain in the jaw, neck, back, arms or shoulders. If you notice any of these signs in yourself or someone else, call 911 right away; do not wait to see whether they pass.
Key takeaways
- Use BE FAST for stroke: Balance, Eyes, Face, Arm, Speech, Time to call 911.
- Note the time stroke symptoms started and tell the emergency team.
- Heart attack signs include chest discomfort, shortness of breath, feeling weak or faint, and pain in the jaw, neck, back, arms or shoulders.
- Women more often also have unusual tiredness and nausea or vomiting during a heart attack.
- A blood pressure reading above 180/120 with symptoms such as chest pain or numbness is a reason to call 911.
Why quick action matters
Strokes and heart attacks are medical emergencies. In both, part of the body is not getting the blood flow it needs, and treatment works best when it starts as early as possible. That is why every major health organization gives the same advice: if you suspect a stroke or heart attack, call 911 immediately.
Many people hesitate. They worry about making a fuss, feel embarrassed if it turns out to be nothing, or hope the symptoms will settle on their own. Emergency teams would much rather check you and find nothing serious than have you wait at home. Calling 911 is always the right choice when these signs appear suddenly.
Stroke warning signs: BE FAST
The CDC and the American Stroke Association teach the letters F.A.S.T. to help people recognize a stroke. Many hospitals add two more letters at the front, B and E, to make BE FAST. Learning the letters takes a minute, and it could make a real difference.
| Letter | Stands for | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| B | Balance | Sudden loss of balance or coordination, or trouble walking |
| E | Eyes | Sudden change in vision in one or both eyes |
| F | Face drooping | One side of the face droops or feels numb; ask the person to smile and see whether the smile is uneven |
| A | Arm weakness | One arm is weak or numb; ask the person to raise both arms and see whether one drifts down |
| S | Speech difficulty | Speech is slurred or strange, or the person cannot repeat a simple sentence |
| T | Time to call 911 | Call right away and note the time symptoms started |
Why the time matters
Write down, or remember, the time you first noticed the symptoms, or the last time the person was seen without them. Some stroke treatments depend on how much time has passed, so this is one of the most useful things you can tell the emergency team.
Heart attack warning signs
According to the CDC, the main warning signs of a heart attack are:
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Feeling weak, light-headed or faint
- Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck or back
- Pain or discomfort in one or both arms or shoulders
- Shortness of breath
Chest discomfort is not always a sharp or crushing pain. It may feel like pressure, fullness or squeezing. Not everyone has chest pain at all, which is why the other signs matter just as much.
Signs that can be easier to miss in women
Women more often also have unusual tiredness and nausea or vomiting during a heart attack. Because these can be mistaken for the flu, a stomach upset or simply a bad day, they are easy to brush off. If they come on along with any of the other warning signs, call 911.
High blood pressure is closely tied to heart and stroke risk; use our free checker to see which category your reading falls into.
Check your blood pressure readingStroke or heart attack: a side-by-side guide
You do not need to know which one it is to act. The response is the same for both: call 911. This table simply helps you remember the signs.
| Stroke | Heart attack | |
|---|---|---|
| Common signs | Face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, balance loss, vision change | Chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, weakness or faintness, pain in jaw, neck, back, arms or shoulders |
| Additional signs more common in women | Follow BE FAST for everyone | Unusual tiredness, nausea or vomiting |
| Key detail to tell responders | Time symptoms started | When symptoms began and what they feel like |
| What to do | Call 911 | Call 911 |
When a blood pressure reading is an emergency
Under the 2025 American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association guideline, a reading higher than 180 for the top number and/or higher than 120 for the bottom number is in the severe range. What to do next depends on whether there are symptoms.
- No symptoms: wait a few minutes and measure again. If it is still that high, contact your doctor right away.
- With symptoms: if a severe reading comes with chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness or weakness, a change in vision, or trouble speaking, call 911.
A worked example
Suppose a home reading shows 186/118. The top number is higher than 180, so this counts as a severe reading even though the bottom number is below 120, because the guideline uses "and/or". The person feels fine, so the next step is to sit quietly for a few minutes and measure again. If the second reading is still above 180, they should contact their doctor right away. If at any point they develop chest pain, numbness, vision changes or trouble speaking, they should call 911 without waiting for another reading.
To make readings as accurate as possible, sit quietly for 5 minutes with your back supported, feet flat and arm resting at heart level, and avoid caffeine, exercise and smoking for 30 minutes beforehand. Our blood pressure chart for seniors explains all the categories.
What to do while waiting for help
- Stay with the person and keep them as calm and comfortable as you can.
- Do not let a person with stroke symptoms drive, and do not drive yourself if you have symptoms.
- Note the time symptoms started.
- If possible, have the person's medicine list ready for the emergency team. Keeping an up-to-date list is covered in our guide to managing multiple medications.
- Unlock the front door and turn on an outside light so responders can find you.
Getting ready before an emergency happens
Emergencies rarely give notice, so a little planning on a calm day can help you act quickly later. A few simple steps are worth taking now:
- Teach the signs at home. Go over BE FAST and the heart attack warning signs with your partner, family members or anyone you live with, so more than one person knows what to look for.
- Keep key information in one place. A single sheet with your medicine list, allergies, health conditions, doctors' names and an emergency contact can be handed straight to responders.
- Keep a phone within reach. If you live alone, keep a charged phone nearby during the day and at your bedside at night.
- Know your address details. In a stressful moment it helps to have your full address, including any apartment number or gate code, written near the phone.
Planning ahead is not about expecting the worst. It simply means that, if a moment ever comes, everyone around you knows what to do.
Lowering your risk over time
Recognizing warning signs is one part of the picture; working with your doctor on long-term health is the other. Knowing your blood pressure numbers, staying as active as your health allows, and keeping up with preventive care all play a part. Our guide to exercise guidelines for older adults covers activity goals, and Medicare covers cardiovascular screening blood tests every 5 years, as explained in our guide to Medicare preventive screenings. Any decisions about medicines or targets should be made with your doctor.
Frequently asked questions
What does BE FAST stand for?
Balance loss, Eyes (vision change), Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and Time to call 911. The original F.A.S.T. version covers the last four letters.
What if the symptoms go away after a few minutes?
Call 911 anyway. Symptoms that come and go can still be a sign of a serious problem, and only a medical team can check properly.
Are heart attack symptoms different in women?
Women can have the same main signs, such as chest discomfort and shortness of breath, but more often also have unusual tiredness and nausea or vomiting.
Is a high blood pressure reading always an emergency?
A reading above 180/120 without symptoms means re-measuring after a few minutes and contacting your doctor right away if it stays that high. With symptoms such as chest pain, numbness, vision change or trouble speaking, call 911.
Should I drive to the hospital myself?
No. Call 911 so that trained responders can begin helping as soon as they arrive.
Sources
This guide is general health information for education. It is not medical advice and does not replace a visit with your doctor or pharmacist. Never start, stop or change a medicine without talking to them. In an emergency call 911. Spotted an error? Let us know.