AHA 2026LIVE BUILD · CODEX

YOUR CHEST PAIN RESPONSE CARD

Know what to do.
Keep it close.

Clear next steps, when they matter most.

Illustration of an older adult and a loved one sitting together with gentle support
Illustration · synthetic demo
DON’T WAIT01

Call 911 now

Possible heart attack? Even if you’re unsure.

  • Chest pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain that lasts a few minutes or comes back
  • Discomfort in an arm, back, neck, jaw or stomach
  • Shortness of breath, cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness — with or without chest pain

Don’t drive yourself. Don’t wait for nitroglycerin or a clinic callback.

NO EMERGENCY SIGNS02

Call your clinic

Only when symptoms are fully gone and match your clinician’s known, stable angina plan.

  • Discuss a familiar episode that stopped as expected with your prescribed plan.
  • Ask about medication refills, side effects or your personal action plan.

New, worsening, at-rest or different chest pain? Call 911. If you’re unsure which path fits, call 911.

ONLY IF PRESCRIBED TO YOU03

Your nitroglycerin steps

For your familiar angina, follow your clinician’s plan. Emergency signs above always mean 911 now.

  1. 1
    Stop and sit down.

    Use your prescribed under-the-tongue tablet or spray as directed. Let tablets dissolve; don’t chew or swallow them.

  2. 2
    Still hurting after 5 minutes? Call 911.

    Call sooner if pain worsens. Do not wait to finish three doses.

  3. 3
    While waiting for help

    Repeat only as your prescription or dispatcher directs, usually every 5 minutes, up to 3 doses total.

Important medication precautions

Do not combine nitroglycerin with erectile dysfunction medicines such as sildenafil or tadalafil, or with riociguat. If you have taken these, call 911 for chest pain and tell the dispatcher; do not take nitroglycerin. It can lower blood pressure and cause fainting. Your prescription and clinician’s instructions take priority.

Chest pain response card

Print at 100%. Cut along the borders; fold in half, then in half again for your wallet. Fictional example — review with your clinician.

Chest pain? Know your next step.

Call 911 now

Chest pressure, squeezing or pain lasting a few minutes or coming back; arm, back, neck, jaw or stomach discomfort; breathlessness, cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness, with or without chest pain.

Even if unsure. Don’t drive. Don’t wait for medication or a callback.

Call the clinic

Only for fully resolved, familiar symptoms that match your clinician’s stable-angina plan, or medication questions. New, different, worsening or at-rest pain → 911.

Emergency contact · fictional

Jamie Morgan · Partner
(202) 555-0147

Prototype · synthetic data · not a medical device

Nitroglycerin · only if prescribed

Emergency signs? Call 911 immediately.

  1. Stop and sit. Use your prescribed tablet under the tongue or spray as directed; let tablets dissolve.
  2. Pain persists after 5 minutes or worsens? Call 911. Don’t wait for three doses.
  3. While waiting: repeat only as prescribed or dispatcher directs, usually every 5 minutes, up to 3 doses total.

Do not combine with erectile dysfunction medicines such as sildenafil or tadalafil, or riociguat. If taken, call 911 for chest pain and tell the dispatcher; don’t take nitroglycerin. It may cause low blood pressure or fainting.

Follow your clinician’s personal plan. This example is not a diagnosis or a personalized prescription.

Sources: American Heart Association; MyHealth Alberta; MedlinePlus. Reviewed Nov 6, 2026.
Prototype · synthetic data · not a medical device