If this is happening right now, don’t wait for the 60 seconds to finish—call 911 immediately. Chest pressure/discomfort, shortness of breath, and pain or discomfort in an arm, shoulder, jaw, neck, or back can be signs of a heart attack.
The first 60 seconds when you’re alone
0–10 seconds: Recognize the emergency
- Treat sudden chest pressure, squeezing, heaviness, or discomfort—especially with shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness, or pain spreading to an arm/jaw/back—as potentially cardiac.
- Do not try to diagnose yourself. Heart attacks can present differently from person to person.
10–20 seconds: Call 911
- Put your phone on speaker and call 911 (or your local emergency number).
- Say: “I may be having a heart attack. I am alone. My location is ___.”
- Give your exact address/apartment number if possible.
- Do not drive yourself to the hospital. EMS can begin treatment while you’re being transported, and ambulance transport can reduce treatment delays.
20–40 seconds: Make it easier for EMS to reach you
- Unlock your front door if you can do so safely.
- Sit down somewhere near the entrance, preferably in a position that’s comfortable and allows you to breathe easily.
- Keep your phone with you and stay on the line with the dispatcher.
- Don’t walk around, exercise, shower, or attempt to “walk it off.”
40–60 seconds: Follow the dispatcher’s instructions
- Don’t hang up unless the dispatcher tells you to.
- If you become worse, tell the dispatcher immediately.
- If you become unconscious, the dispatcher can guide anyone who arrives through CPR.
What about aspirin?
For an alert adult with non-traumatic chest pain, current American Heart Association/American Red Cross first-aid guidance says that, after activating EMS, aspirin 162–325 mg may be chewed and swallowed unless the person has a known aspirin allergy or has been told by a healthcare professional not to take aspirin. If you’re uncertain whether aspirin is appropriate, it’s reasonable to wait for EMS rather than take it.
Don’t delay the 911 call to find or take aspirin.
If you suddenly collapse
A heart attack and cardiac arrest aren’t the same thing. If you become unresponsive and aren’t breathing normally, 911 should be activated and CPR started immediately; an AED should be used if available.
The most important rule: with possible heart-attack symptoms, call 911 first—not a friend, not an urgent-care clinic, and not a ride to the hospital.