Recognizing the Critical Signs of Medical
Emergencies such as Heart Attack and Stroke

In medical emergencies, time is life. Awareness of symptoms and signs is a sharedresponsibility, even if we are not medical professionals, to save lives. Some of the most common and dangerous cardiovascular emergencies that require immediate action include heart attack and stroke. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of death worldwide, claiming around 17.9 million lives each year. Cardiovascular diseases risk factors are common in Arab countries’ populations. According to the latest WHO data, Egypt ranks as the15th highest country with coronary heart disease deaths in the world, with these deaths accounting for 32.40% of its total mortality.Cardiovascular diseases are disorders of the heart and blood vessels. This broad category includes conditions like coronary heart disease (which can lead to heart attack), heart failure, hypertension (high blood pressure), peripheral artery disease, and stroke.Both stroke and ischemic heart disease, acutely presenting as a heart attack, impose a burden that extends beyond fatalities; they are also responsible for the most years lived with illness, disability, and reduced quality of life.

A heart attack, medically known as a myocardial infarction, is an acute, life-threatening
event. It occurs when the blood flow to the heart muscle is reduced or completely blocked.
Heart muscle damaged by a heart attack heals by forming scar tissue. The amount of damage
to the heart muscle is determined by two factors: duration between the onset of injury and
treatment and the size of the affected area supplied by the blocked artery.
If you experience any heart attack warning signs, call AlMehwar Hospital’s Emergency
Hotline at 15626 immediately. Minutes matter. Take fast action to save other people/s live
and maybe even your own.
Warning Signs include:

Unusual tiredness and weakness

Chest discomfort: Most heart attacks involve discomfort like uncomfortable
pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain, lasting more than a few minutes, or recurring in
the center of the chest.

Discomfort in other upper body areas: include pain or discomfort in one or both
arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.

Shortness of breath: can occur with or without chest discomfort.

Other signs: include cold sweat, nausea, rapid/irregular heartbeat, unusual tiredness,
or lightheadedness.
Symptoms Vary for Men and Women
While chest pain or discomfort is the most common heart attack symptom for both men and
women, women may experience other less typical symptoms such as:

Anxiety
Shortness of breath
Nausea and/or vomiting
Upset stomach
Pain in the shoulder, back, or arm
Unusual tiredness and weakness

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel supplying the brain is either blocked by a clot (ischemic
stroke), ruptures (a hemorrhagic stroke) depriving part of the brain of oxygen and causing
brain cells to die. Another reversible type, (Transient Ischemic Attack) or “mini-stroke,” is
caused by a temporary clot.
According to the American Stroke Association, the F.A.S.T. Warning Signs of Stroke are:

• F = Face Drooping – Does one side of the face look uneven or is it numb?
• A = Arm Weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Does one arm drift downward?
• S = Speech Difficulty – Is speech slurred?
• T = Time to call emergency immediately. Every minute counts. Other Stroke
  Symptoms
  Other Sudden Stroke Symptoms:
• Numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side.
• Confusion or trouble speaking/understanding.
• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance/coordination.
• Severe headache with unknown cause.

In medical emergencies like a heart attack or stroke, every second is crucial for saving lives
and limiting long-term damage. Knowing the warning signs and acting fast are your most
powerful tools. Remember: Time is Brain, Time is Muscle, and most importantly, Time is
Life.
If you or someone you know experiences warning signs of a heart attack or stroke, don’t
hesitate to contact our emergency services, call ALMehwar Hospital’s hotline at 15626
immediately. Your quick response, combined with expert medical care, protects your life and
the lives of your loved ones.