
As part of the Global Heart Hub, we are committed to supporting this patient-led, COVID response campaign.

#JustGo
If you are experiencing a heart or stroke emergency – this is NOT the time to ‘stay at home’.
When your heart says so, #JustGo.

#StepUp
Own your heart health by recognising and tracking your symptoms, reaching out to your healthcare provider and following through with your treatment plan.
When your heart needs you, #StepUp.

#JustTreat
COVID-19 has upended the world and we are facing an unprecedented burden of heart disease.
Because time is crucial, #JustTreat.
Know the signs and symptoms
HEART ATTACK
Typical symptoms of a heart attack include:
- Chest pain, tightness, or discomfort that comes on with physical exertion or emotional distress and is relieved by rest. Sometimes this exertional or emotional chest discomfort can spread to the left arm or jaw area. If a heart attack is severe, these symptoms can persist when you are resting. You may feel dizzy (lightheaded), nauseous, sweaty or short of breath.
These symptoms may not be as obvious if you are female or have diabetes.


STROKE
Typical symptoms of a stroke include:
- Sudden loss of speech, vision, ability to walk or power in your hands or legs
- No warning signs – sudden loss of ability to do something you normally can do
- Sudden weakness of the face, arms, or legs
- Droop on one side of your face
- Sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding others
- Sudden loss of vision in half the visual field
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
HEART FAILURE
Typical symptoms of heart failure include:
- Shortness of breath with exertion that is out of keeping with your normal fitness, usually associated with swelling in the feet and ankles or abdominal bloating and reduced appetite, due to fluid retention. Shortness of breath while lying down in bed that is relieved by sitting up, and weight gain over a short period of time (>2kg over 2 days) are also symptoms.


HEART VALVE DISEASE
Typical symptoms of heart valve disease, especially in those over the age of 65, include:
- Shortness of breath or dizziness with exertion that is out of keeping with your normal fitness can also be accompanied by symptoms of heart attack or heart failure (as described above).
FAMILIAL HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA (FH)
- All of the above symptoms in a person younger than 55 who has a diagnosis of FH, has a family member diagnosed with FH or has multiple other family members with a history of heart disease or stroke.
For more information on FH, please visit fheurope.org.

Further Information & Advice
Please contact Croí’s free support service, Heartlink West, Monday to Friday 9:00am – 5:30pm to connect with our specialist team of Nurses, Dietitians, Physios And Exercise Specialists. Call 091-544310 or email healthteam@croi.ie.
About This Campaign
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the world and, in particular, our personal health care and health care systems. Many people are slow to seek medical help when experiencing obvious cardiac symptoms. Many remain fearful of going to their doctor or to hospital. Many are cancelling important medical appointments. These delays in seeking help and commencing treatments can be life-threatening. It’s time to put heart health before the fear of COVID-19. You are more likely to die from a cardiac event than from COVID-19.
This campaign is endorsed by:
This campaign is supported by:
Part of a global initiative by the Global Heart Hub. If you want to get involved, see the campaign materials at Global Heart Hub.