Call 911 for AFib if you have chest pain, fainting, severe shortness of breath, or stroke signs like face drooping, arm weakness or slurred speech. For new or changing symptoms that are not severe, call your doctor's office. Knowing the difference can save time, and sometimes a life.
Call 911 for these red flags
- Chest pain, pressure or tightness
- Fainting or nearly fainting
- Severe shortness of breath
- Face drooping, arm or leg weakness, slurred speech
- Sudden confusion, vision loss or severe headache
- Serious bleeding while on a blood thinner, or a hard fall with a head injury
Do not drive yourself. Note the time symptoms started and share your medicine list with responders.
Why stroke signs are urgent
FCCI lists stroke due to a blood clot as one of the serious consequences AFib can cause. Stroke treatment works best when started fast, so every minute counts.
Call your doctor's office for these
- New palpitations or an irregular pulse you have not had before
- Episodes that are more frequent or last longer than usual
- Mild shortness of breath or tiredness that is new
- Side effects from medicines
- Redness or swelling at a device or procedure site
FCCI asks patients to contact the office during normal business hours, 8AM to 5PM, for both urgent and non-urgent matters. If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911 or go to the emergency room.
If you are admitted to the hospital
FCCI provides coverage at HCA Florida Memorial Hospital Jacksonville, HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital, HCA Florida Putnam Hospital and HCA Memorial Satilla, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you are admitted, you can ask for a physician from First Coast Cardiovascular Institute.
Make a plan ahead of time
- Keep your medicine list in your wallet and on your phone.
- Share this red flag list with family.
- Know which hospital is closest to you.
- Ask your doctor at your next visit which symptoms should prompt a call.
After an ER visit
Call FCCI to schedule follow-up so your heart rhythm doctor can review what happened and adjust your plan.
Practice the plan
Talk through the plan with the people you live with. Who calls 911? Where is the medicine list? Which door will responders use? A two-minute talk now can make a stressful moment calmer later.
Teach the stroke signs
Make sure everyone in your home knows the warning signs: face drooping, arm weakness and speech trouble. Tell them to call 911 right away and note the time symptoms began. Children and grandchildren can learn this too.
What to tell responders
Share that you have AFib, list your medicines, especially any blood thinner, and mention any heart device you have. Hand over your medicine list if you have it ready.
Keep a copy by the front door.
Getting care at FCCI
After an emergency is handled, follow-up care matters. FCCI's doctors cover four HCA hospitals in the area 24/7 and see patients afterward at offices across Jacksonville, Orange Park, Palatka and Waycross.
In a true emergency, skip the reading and call 911. This page is for learning ahead of time.
Need follow-up after an AFib scare? For non-emergencies, call FCCI at 904.493.3333 during weekday hours, 8AM to 5PM, or send your name and phone through the request form.
