Iowa Call 911

DON’T DRIVE YOURSELF
For heart attack symptoms, call 911. And live.

AN AMBULANCE IS MORE THAN JUST A RIDE TO THE HOSPITAL
With a heart attack, every second counts. Calling 911 starts your care sooner, which could save your life.

ARRIVING BY AMBULANCE:

  • EMTs start your care as soon as they arrive
  • EMTs gather and send symptoms and vital signs to the hospital
  • EMTs perform an EKG and transmit to the hospital to prepare medical team for your arrival
  • EMTs administer oxygen and medications
  • EMTs are able to shock your heart and provide other treatments if conditions worsen
  • The admissions process is expedited for immediate care upon arrival

ARRIVING BY CAR:

  • Delays immediacy of care because hospital staff must first assess your condition
  • Delays registrations and admissions due to no advanced notice
  • Increases heart muscle damage – saving time saves muscle
  • Puts you at greater risk since no one is able treat you if conditions worsen
  • Puts other drivers in danger should conditions become worse while driving

Get the treatment you need in the shortest amount of time. Call 911. And live.

Additional Resources:

Visit the Mission: Lifeline Iowa website

Visit the National Mission: Lifeline website

HEART ATTACK WARNING SIGNS

  • CHEST DISCOMFORT - Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
  • DISCOMFORT IN OTHER AREAS OF THE UPPER BODY - Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
  • SHORTNESS OF BREATH - with our without chest discomfort.
  • OTHER SIGNS - may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or pigheadedness.

STROKE WARNING SIGNS

Spot a stroke F.A.S.T.

  • Face Drooping Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile.
  • Arm Weakness Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
  • Speech Difficulty Is speech slurred, are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like "the sky is blue." Is the sentence repeated correctly?
  • Time to call 9-1-1 If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get them to the hospital immediately.