What To Do If Someone Is Having a Heart Attack

If you ever find yourself thinking, “Is this a heart attack?”congrats, your brain is already doing the most important thing: taking it seriously.
A heart attack is not the moment to “wait and see,” crowdsource opinions, or conduct a dramatic re-enactment of a medical TV show.
It’s the moment to act fast, stay calm, and do the simple things that truly help.

This guide walks you through exactly what to do (and what not to do) if someone may be having a heart attackstep by step, in plain American English,
with real-world examples, and just enough humor to keep you from panic-Googling your way into chaos.

First, Know What You’re Looking At: Heart Attack vs. Cardiac Arrest

A heart attack usually happens when blood flow to part of the heart muscle gets blocked.
The person is often awake and breathing, but in distress. A heart attack can turn into cardiac arrest,
which is when the heart stops pumping effectively and the person collapses and becomes unresponsive.

Translation: if someone has heart attack symptoms, you treat it like an emergency right away. If they collapse and aren’t breathing normally, you treat it like
cardiac arrest and start CPR/AED immediately.

Spot the Signs Fast (Because Time Matters)

Heart attacks don’t always show up like a movie scene with dramatic chest-clutching and a slow slide down the wall.
Sometimes they’re loud. Sometimes they’re sneaky. When in doubt, assume it’s real and get help.

Common heart attack symptoms

• Chest discomfort (pressure, squeezing, fullness, or painoften in the center or left side)
• Shortness of breath (with or without chest discomfort)
• Pain or discomfort in the arm(s), shoulder, back, neck, jaw, or upper stomach
• Cold sweat
• Nausea or vomiting
• Lightheadedness or sudden fatigue

Less obvious signs (especially in some adults)

Some people feel “off” more than they feel “pain.” They may describe indigestion, unusual tiredness, or a weird pressure that won’t quit.
Don’t play symptom detectiveplay it safe.

The 5-Step Game Plan: What To Do Right Now

Step 1: Call 911 immediately (don’t drive them yourself)

Call 911 as soon as you suspect a heart attack. Emergency medical services can start treatment on the way to the hospital,
and they know where to take the patient fast. Driving the person yourself sounds efficient… until they get worse in your passenger seat.

If you’re in a public place, delegate like a boss:
“Youcall 911. Youfind the AED. Youstay with me and help keep space clear.”

What to say on the 911 call

• Exact location (address, building name, floor, nearby landmark)
• What symptoms you see and when they started
• Age (approximate is fine) and any known medical history
• Whether the person is awake, breathing normally, or getting worse
• Any known allergies and medications (if you can safely find out)

Step 2: Keep them seated, resting, and calm

Have the person sit down and restpreferably upright and supported. Encourage slow, steady breathing.
Stress and exertion make the heart work harder, which is the opposite of what you want right now.

Loosen tight clothing (ties, waistbands, collars). Keep the environment calm and quiet. If you need a script:
“Help is on the way. I’m right here. Try to stay still and breathe slowly.”

Step 3: Ask about prescribed heart meds (and be smart about aspirin)

If the person has known heart disease, they may carry nitroglycerin for chest pain (angina).
Ask: “Do you have nitroglycerin prescribed for you?” If yes, help them take it only as their label or their clinician instructed.
Never give someone else’s nitroglycerin. (This is not a “sharing is caring” situation.)

About aspirin: you may have heard “Give aspirin right away.”
Current practical advice is: call 911 first, then follow the operator’s instructions.
In many cases, the 911 operator or medical professionals may recommend aspirin if it’s appropriate and the person is not allergic
and has no reason to avoid it. Don’t delay the 911 call to hunt for a bottle in the back of a kitchen drawer like it’s a scavenger hunt.

Step 4: Watch for collapsethen switch to CPR/AED mode

If the person becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally (no breathing, gasping, or irregular breathing),
that’s an emergency on top of an emergency.

1. Call 911 (or confirm it’s already done).
2. Send someone for an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) if available.
3. Start hands-only CPR: push hard and fast in the center of the chest.
4. Use the AED as soon as it arrivesturn it on and follow the voice prompts.

Step 5: Gather helpful info for EMS

While you’re waiting (or while someone else is assisting), gather any details that help emergency responders:

• Time symptoms started (or when the person was last seen “normal”)
• Medical conditions (heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure)
• Medications and allergies
• Recent procedures or major bleeding issues (if known)
• Emergency contact information

Hands-Only CPR and AED: The Quick, Practical How-To

Hands-only CPR (for teens and adults)

If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally:

1. Place them flat on their back on a firm surface.
2. Put the heel of one hand in the center of the chest; place your other hand on top.
3. Lock your elbows, use your body weight, and push hard and fast.
4. Aim for a steady rhythmthink of the beat of “Stayin’ Alive.”
5. Keep going until help takes over, the person starts moving, or you’re physically unable to continue.

You do not need to be perfect to be helpful. Doing something quickly is better than doing nothing flawlessly in your imagination.

Using an AED (Automated External Defibrillator)

AEDs are designed for regular people, not movie doctors.

1. Turn it on.
2. Expose the chest and attach pads as pictured on the device.
3. Let the AED analyzedo not touch the person during analysis.
4. If it says “shock advised,” make sure no one is touching the person, then press the shock button (if prompted).
5. Resume CPR immediately when instructed.

What NOT to Do (Common Mistakes That Waste Time)

• Don’t wait to see if it goes away. Minutes matter.
• Don’t drive them to the hospital if 911 is an option. EMS can treat en route.
• Don’t give food, drink, or “a little something to settle the stomach.” Nausea can be part of a heart attack.
• Don’t tell them to “walk it off.” This isn’t a pulled muscle.
• Don’t offer medications that aren’t prescribed to them. Especially nitroglycerin.
• Don’t rely on internet “hacks” (like cough tricks) instead of calling 911.

If You Think YOU Are Having a Heart Attack

If you’re the one with symptoms, your job is simple: call 911 now. Then:

• Unlock the door if you’re alone (so responders can get in).
• Sit down and rest.
• If you have prescribed nitroglycerin, take it as directed.
• Follow the 911 operator’s instructions about aspirin or other steps.
• Do not drive yourself unless there is absolutely no other option.

Why Speed Matters (Without the Scare Tactics)

Heart muscle needs oxygen. When blood flow is blocked, damage can start quickly.
Getting medical care fast can limit damage and improve outcomes. That’s why calling 911 isn’t “overreacting.”
It’s the correct reaction.

Practical Examples: What This Looks Like in Real Life

Example 1: “It’s probably heartburn” at a family dinner

Uncle Jim says his chest feels tight and he’s sweating, but he insists it’s the spicy wings.
You notice he’s short of breath and unusually pale. You call 911 anyway. EMS arrives, does an EKG,
and transports him quickly. Even if it turns out not to be a heart attack, you made the right call.
Chest symptoms + sweating + shortness of breath = don’t gamble.

Example 2: A coworker looks “off” and suddenly gets nauseous

A colleague complains of pressure in the chest and feels lightheaded. They say they’re “fine” but sit down.
You call 911, keep them calm, loosen tight clothing, and ask if they have prescribed heart medication.
You note the time symptoms started and pass that info to responders. This is exactly how bystanders help:
fast call, calm support, good information.

Example 3: Collapse at the gym

Someone collapses and isn’t responding. Another person calls 911 while you start hands-only CPR.
A staff member brings an AED and follows the prompts. This is the kind of teamwork that saves lives:
call, compress, defibrillate, repeat.

FAQs People Ask in the Moment

“How long should I wait before calling 911?”

Don’t wait. If you suspect a heart attack, call 911 right awayespecially with chest discomfort, shortness of breath,
or symptoms that feel new, severe, or unusual.

“Should I give them aspirin?”

Call 911 first, then follow instructions. Aspirin may be recommended by the 911 operator or medical professionals in many situations,
but it’s not for everyone (allergies, certain bleeding risks, and other conditions matter).
Don’t delay calling 911 to decide.

“What if they insist they’re okay?”

People often downplay symptoms because they’re scared, embarrassed, or in denial. You’re not calling 911 to win an argument.
You’re calling to protect a life. Be kind, firm, and quick.

“What if it’s a panic attack?”

You can’t reliably tell in the momentand you shouldn’t try. Treat it as a heart attack until proven otherwise.
Emergency professionals are trained to sort it out safely.

Conclusion: Be the Calm, Fast, Helpful Person

If you remember nothing else, remember this: call 911, keep the person resting and calm,
follow dispatcher instructions, and be ready to start CPR and use an AED if the person collapses.
You don’t need medical superpowers. You need speed, common sense, and the confidence to act.

Experiences People Share After a Heart Attack Scare (And What They Wish They’d Known)

1) “I didn’t want to make a scene.”

One of the most common things people say afterward is that they hesitated because they didn’t want to overreact in public.
The weird truth is that heart attacks are not polite emergencies. They don’t care if you’re in a grocery store line,
at a kid’s basketball game, or halfway through saying, “I’m probably fine.” People who delayed often describe the same pattern:
they minimized symptoms, tried to push through, or waited for a “more obvious” sign. What they wish they’d known is simple:
calling 911 isn’t creating dramait’s creating options. If it’s not a heart attack, great. If it is, you just bought time,
and time is the one thing you can’t Amazon Prime to your doorstep.

2) “The symptoms were not what I expected.”

Many bystanders describe confusion because the person didn’t clutch their chest or collapse immediately.
Instead, it was nausea, unusual fatigue, shortness of breath, or discomfort in the jaw or arm.
In hindsight, the clues were thereespecially when symptoms were new, intense, or came with sweating or lightheadedness.
The lesson people repeat: don’t judge the emergency by whether it looks cinematic. Judge it by whether something feels
dangerously wrong or different. If a person looks pale, clammy, breathless, or suddenly “not themselves,” trust that signal.
The best move isn’t diagnosingit’s getting professionals involved quickly.

3) “The 911 operator actually helped us do the right things.”

People are often surprised (and relieved) by how much guidance 911 dispatchers can provide.
In many experiences, the operator coached the caller through what to watch for, how to keep the person safe, and what details
to gatherlike medication lists, allergy history, and the time symptoms began. In some cases, callers were instructed on whether aspirin
was appropriate. In others, they were walked through CPR until responders arrived. The main takeaway: calling 911 doesn’t just send an ambulance.
It gives you a trained voice in your ear when your brain is trying to sprint in ten directions. If you’re worried you’ll freeze,
that’s even more reason to callbecause the call itself creates structure.

4) “CPR felt scary… until it became the only thing that mattered.”

In situations where a heart attack led to collapse, bystanders often describe CPR as intimidatingespecially if they weren’t trained.
But many also say that once they started compressions, the fear shifted into focus. The steps were simple: call 911, push hard and fast,
and keep going. When an AED showed up, it was often a turning point because the device gave clear instructions and made the moment feel manageable.
People who’ve been through it frequently encourage others to learn hands-only CPR, not because it turns you into a paramedic,
but because it turns panic into action. The emotional aftershock can be real, but so is the pride of knowing you did something that mattered.

5) “Afterward, we changed how prepared we are.”

Many families and workplaces adjust their habits after a heart attack scare. They learn where the AED is (or they advocate to get one),
take a CPR class, store emergency contacts in phones, and keep updated medication lists.
Some people create a simple plan: who calls 911, who meets responders at the door, who grabs meds and ID.
The point isn’t to live in fear. The point is to make preparedness boringso if the scary moment ever happens again,
you’re not improvising. The best emergency plan is the one you barely have to think about.