Emergency Card for Heart Conditions — Free Printable Template
A heart-condition emergency card tells paramedics three things they need fast: what cardiac diagnosis you have (heart attack history, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, valve replacement, etc.), what medications you take (especially blood thinners), and whether you have a pacemaker or implanted defibrillator (ICD). All three change emergency treatment.
If you take Warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto, Plavix, or another blood thinner, that fact alone can change every decision in a trauma scenario — from how surgeons approach bleeding to whether they can give clot-busting drugs.
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What to put on a heart condition emergency card
- •Cardiac diagnosis — "Atrial fibrillation," "Heart failure (CHF)," "History of MI 2023," "Coronary artery disease," etc. Be specific — the diagnosis changes treatment.
- •Pacemaker or ICD — Brand, model, and date implanted if you can. Important before MRIs, defibrillation, or chest compressions.
- •Stents, valves, or bypass — Date and type — e.g. "3-vessel CABG 2019" or "Aortic valve replacement (mechanical) 2021."
- •Blood thinners — "Warfarin (target INR 2–3)," "Eliquis 5mg twice daily," "Plavix 75mg daily," etc. This is critical in trauma.
- •Other heart medications — Beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, statins, diuretics, antiarrhythmics — list each with dose.
- •Drug allergies — Aspirin, contrast dye (used in cardiac catheterization), sulfa, penicillin — anything that affects emergency treatment.
- •Cardiologist contact — Name and phone number. Hospitals will call them for guidance specific to your case.
- •Emergency contact — Name, phone number, and relationship — someone who knows your full medical history and can make decisions if needed.
Why a heart condition emergency card matters
Cardiac emergencies often happen with no warning. If you collapse in a public place, the first responders have seconds to make decisions: do they administer aspirin, do they defibrillate, do they need to know about an ICD? A clearly visible wallet card answers those questions instantly.
Blood thinners (anticoagulants) change every aspect of trauma care. A small head bump on someone taking Warfarin can become a brain bleed. Surgeons need to know before they operate. A card that says "On Eliquis 5mg twice daily — last dose this morning" is exactly the information ER staff want to see in the first thirty seconds.
Implanted devices add another layer. Pacemakers and ICDs are MRI-conditional — the machine and software need to know the device's model. Chest compressions and defibrillation pad placement also change with an ICD. Your card carrying that information prevents avoidable mistakes.
In an emergency, call your local emergency number first — 911 (US/Canada), 999 (UK), 1122 (Pakistan), 112 (EU). This card is a supplement, not a substitute, for medical care.
Related guides
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Sources
We cite primary, authoritative sources. Read our editorial standards for how we research and verify information.
- American Heart Association — Heart attack and emergency care resources
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — Heart Disease — facts and patient information
- Mayo Clinic — Pacemaker — what to know
- NHS — Anticoagulant medicines — overview
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