STOP what you are doing and lie down. If your pain stops when you rest, and then starts again when you begin an activity or experience emotional stress, call your doctor right away.

If your doctor did NOT order nitroglycerin for chest pain, and the pain does not get better with rest, CALL 911, or your local emergency service. Do not go to the hospital in a private vehicle. If your doctor DID order nitroglycerin, take one and wait five minutes (be sure you are lying down). If the pain is not better, take another nitroglycerin and wait five more minutes. If the pain is still there, take a third nitroglycerin. If the pain is still there after the third nitroglycerin, CALL 911 or your local emergency service. Do not drive yourself to the hospital. If someone other than a trained emergency medical service or EMS, takes you to the hospital, they will not have the medicines, oxygen or free hands to start CPR (mouth-to-mouth breathing and chest compression), if required. EMS personnel can start treating heart attack symptoms before reaching the hospital and ultimately save lives.

Don't delay—a heart attack is an emergency and should be treated like one. If you suspect you or someone you know may be having a heart attack, call 911 immediately. Many problems associated with a heart attack can be reversed if prompt treatment is received.