April 7, 2022

What Should You Do if Someone Is Having a Heart Attack?

Get the answer from an interventional cardiologist

Illustration of a person holding phone and dialing 911

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every 40 seconds, someone has a heart attack in this country. Every year, about 805,000 people have a heart attack. Of that number, 605,000 are first heart attacks. And 1 in 5 heart attacks is a silent one, meaning the person isn’t aware that it’s even happening.

Advertisement

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

So, what should you do if someone is having a heart attack? Interventional cardiologist Leslie Cho, MD, offers some helpful advice that can save a life.

Symptoms of a heart attack

Heart attack symptoms can range from shortness of breath to a feeling of impending doom. Some other common symptoms of a heart attack include:

  • Anxiety.
  • Chest pain or pressure (angina).
  • Discomfort in your arms, neck, back or jaw.
  • Heart palpitations.
  • Feeling lightheaded, dizzy or passing out.
  • Nausea or stomach discomfort.
  • Shortness of breath or trouble breathing.
  • Sweating.

While women have chest pain/pressure like men, they’re more likely to experience shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.

Steps to take during a heart attack

In an emergency, it’s easy to panic. But staying calm helps ensure that your family member or friend (or even yourself) gets help — fast.

Advertisement

Step 1: Call 911

“A heart attack is a serious medical emergency and calling 911 is the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment,” stresses Dr. Cho. “This is because the emergency medical service workers can begin interventions immediately when they arrive and on the way to the hospital.”

Step 2: Take chest pain medicine

If you, or the person having the heart attack, have been prescribed chest pain medications, like nitroglycerin, use it. For those who don’t have chest pain medication, some healthcare providers recommend slowly chewing 325 milligrams of aspirin to help to minimize heart damage or prevent the development of a dangerous blood clot. But only do this if there isn’t a prior history of an aspirin allergy or a medical condition that could worsen because of it.

Step 3: Stay calm

As you’re waiting for emergency care, try to remain calm, loosen any clothing and rest. If you suspect you’re having a heart attack, don’t eat or drink anything outside of medication, and if someone else is having a heart attack, don’t allow them to do so either.

Start CPR if necessary

In the event the person you’re observing becomes unconscious and unresponsive, call 911 and check for a pulse. If there is no pulse, start CPR.

Advertisement

If it’s a child or infant, always do one minute of CPR before calling 911.

Why it’s so important to get help immediately

Again, if you have the slightest suspicion that someone (or even you) is having a heart attack, the first and most important thing to do is to call 911. Don’t call your healthcare provider or drive to the hospital. This can waste precious time for treatment. And certainly don’t wait and hope symptoms will disappear on their own. There’s no penalty if it turns out to be a false alarm.

Learn more about our editorial process.

Related Articles

Older couple talk while leisurely walk across a bridge
February 29, 2024
Can You Exercise After a Heart Attack?

Absolutely! In fact, in many ways, exercise is key to recovery

Person having a heart attack in background, close up of hand calling 911 on cell phone in foreground
February 28, 2024
Can You Stop a Heart Attack Once It Starts?

There’s no way to stop it once a heart attack is happening, but the most important thing you can do is to call for help

Person enjoying container of assorted fruit
February 28, 2024
How To Protect Your Heart When You Have Prediabetes

You can counter the risk of prediabetes-related heart attack or stroke by eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, as well as exercising regularly

Blood pressure cuff on arm and blood pressure-reading device
February 27, 2024
Here’s What Your Blood Pressure Numbers Mean

An ideal blood pressure is less than 120 mm Hg systolic and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic

person holding hands to upper chest
January 26, 2024
How To Tell the Difference Between a Heart Attack and a Panic Attack

To help determine what you’re experiencing, focus on how the pain feels, the location of the pain, when it started and how long it lasts

close up of bottle of pills spilling onto table
January 24, 2024
Take Your Cholesterol Meds: Stopping Statins Can Cause Dangerous Side Effects

Stopping this critical medication on your own increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and more

A sad couple standing on each side of a large broken heart
December 3, 2023
Yes, You Can Die From a Broken Heart — But No, It’s Not Likely at All

The emotional toll of loss and other strong emotions can have life-threatening physical effects

Person with chest pain and hard to breathe with heart and heartbeat in background.
July 18, 2023
What Does a Heart Attack Feel Like?

Symptoms may be mild, but don’t be fooled — any heart attack is serious

Trending Topics

Person in yellow tshirt and blue jeans relaxing on green couch in living room reading texts on their phone.
Here’s How Many Calories You Naturally Burn in a Day

Your metabolism may torch 1,300 to 2,000 calories daily with no activity

person getting a sinus massage between brows
5 Sinus Massage Techniques To Relieve Pressure and Promote Drainage

A gentle touch in all the right places may help drain your sinuses

woman snacking on raisins and nuts
52 Foods High In Iron

Pump up your iron intake with foods like tuna, tofu and turkey

Ad