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:

• Iowa Mission: Lifeline Public Education & Awareness Campaign Materials Order Form
• Download and share this 2-sided "Don't Drive Yourself" flyer(link opens in new window)(link opens in new window) with others.
• Learn more about Heart Attack warning signs, your risk, and how to prevent heart disease.
• Use our Interactive Tools to watch a virtual heart attack
• Take the My Life Check assessment to get your own personal heart score and life plan.
• Learn more about Mission: Lifeline Nebraska

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.