Health & Science
Know the Signs of Heart Attack
February 22 2023
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Do you know the signs of a heart attack? If you or someone you are near are experiencing any symptoms, the Greater Harris County 911 Emergency Network urges you to contact 9-1-1 ASAP.
According to the American Heart Association, a heart attack occurs when the blood flow that brings oxygen to the heart muscle is severely reduced or cut off completely. About every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a heart attack. To learn more about heart attacks, how to identify the signs and more, please visit heart.org.
Before You Go...
When should you call 9-1-1?
Only contact 9-1-1 in an emergency situation. An emergency is any situation that requires immediate assistance from the police/sheriff, the fire department or emergency medical services. If you are ever in doubt of whether a situation is an emergency you should call 9-1-1. It’s better to be safe and let the 9-1-1 call taker determine if you need emergency assistance.
| EXAMPLES OF WHEN TO CALL 9-1-1 | DO NOT CALL 9-1-1 |
| Medical Emergencies | For information |
| Heart attack or stroke | When the power is out |
| House fire | To report a broken fire hydrant |
| Domestic violence | When your water pipes burst |
| Burglary or theft in progress | To get a ride for doctor’s appointment |
| Car accident with life threatening injuries | For paying tickets |
| Suspicious activities | For your pet |
| Anything else that seems like an emergency! | To report potholes in the road |
Tips for 9-1-1 Calls
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Every second counts in emergency. Don’t hesitate to contact 9-1-1 first during an emergency for police, fire or medical assistance.
- Get to a safe location before calling. If you are calling to report a fire, exit the burning building before calling.
- Stay calm and answer all questions about your emergency.
- State what help you need: police, fire or EMS/medical.
- State your address, describe your location as completely as possible using cross streets or landmarks.
- Stay on the line — do not hang up until the operator says it’s OK.
Source: Greater Harris County 911 Emergency Network