Call 911 for Heart Attack
Every minute counts when you’re having a heart attack. If you’re experiencing the warning signs and think you need to visit the ER, you are better off calling 911 than driving to the hospital. 911 dispatchers can locate you quickly and assist with early treatment options. Emergency medical services (EMS) responders can offer more accurate diagnosis and initiate early treatment. Most important, patients arriving to the ER by ambulance will not wait to see a doctor.
Heart Attack Warning Signs
If you experience one or more of these signs, you may be having a heart attack:
- Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of your chest lasting more than a few minutes, or going away and coming back
- Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, neck, jaw, or stomach
- Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
- Breaking out in a cold sweat
- Nausea or lightheadedness
Advanced detection and personal care make all the difference.
Studies estimate that more than half of us will develop heart disease at some point in our lives. Hancock Health’s Cardiovascular Services offer state-of-the-art technology to diagnose cardiovascular problems and offer the most effective treatment. If you’re experiencing symptoms of heart disease, or if you think you may be at risk, don’t wait. Most cardiovascular disease can be treated more effectively when caught in its early stages.
Chest Pain Center Accreditation
The American College of Cardiology has recognized Hancock Regional Hospital for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients with chest pain. Hancock Regional Hospital was awarded Chest Pain Center Accreditation based on rigorous onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack.
Diagnosing Heart Disease
Our diagnostic capabilities give us a number of ways to assess your cardiovascular health and risk of heart disease. Most notably, our cardiac X-ray unit provides one of the most advanced heart scans available, with enhanced image quality and resolution. And our echocardiography system offers a color ultrasound of the heart with exceptional imaging performance. The range of diagnostic procedures we offer includes:
- Cardiac catheterization. Contrast dye is injected into the coronary arteries and a digital picture is taken. This allows visualization of any narrowing or blockages.
- Cardiac stress testing. A treadmill, bicycle, or medication is used to stress the heart and grade its performance.
- Cardiac nuclear stress testing. Done in conjunction with a stress test, cardiolite stress testing shows how well the blood flows to the heart muscle.
- Echocardiogram. Ultrasounds of the heart and heart valves determine how the heart is pumping and whether it is working properly.
- Electrocardiography. Electrical tracing (EKG) of the heart rhythm helps diagnose conditions that interfere with normal electrophysical function. EKG event monitors make a graphic record of the electric currents generated by the heart while the person walks or otherwise moves wearing a small recorder.
Cardiac Treatment
Expert cardiologists are by your side every step of the way at Hancock Health. Armed with state-of-the-art technology, they’ll collaborate with one goal in mind: to help you get better. Along the way, our physicians will communicate closely with you and your family, making sure you’re aware of your treatment options so you can be an active participant in choosing the care that’s right for you. Furthermore, our Chest Pain Center provides a carefully systemized approach of care to heart attack patients, ensuring they are treated in our cardiac catheterization lab well within 90 minutes of arrival. Research shows that early treatment is associated with lower mortality rates and better outcomes for heart attack patients.
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Our Cardiac Rehab program helps patients with heart disease recover faster and return to their everyday lives after a cardiac event or surgery. The rehab program is designed around each individual patient and is monitored by our caring, expert staff.
Listen to Your Own Heart with a $49 Heart Scan
Listen to your spouse’s or even to your parent’s heart. Be sure they will all keep beating healthy and strong with a $49 heart scan from Hancock Health.
Our low-cost heart scan is a cardiac CT (computerized tomography) or CT scan to detect coronary artery calcium. It is a noninvasive way of determining the presence, location, and extent of calcium deposits in your coronary arteries.
A heart scan shows your healthcare provider even more details about your heart’s structure and how well your heart is working. Heart scans can see early signs of coronary artery disease. These signs are very small amounts of calcium and blockages in the coronary arteries. This calcium may predict that one or more coronary arteries will eventually become blocked. A blocked artery can cause chest pain or even a heart attack.
The major risk factors for Coronary Artery Disease are:
- Abnormally high blood cholesterol levels
- A family history of heart disease
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Being overweight or obese
- Being physically inactive
This information is vital to predicting and preventing heart disease and even a major cardiac event. It’s highly recommended for high-risk men and women with a family history of heart disease or who have been diagnosed with diabetes and/or high blood pressure. The earlier your physician can diagnose health issues, the better the outcome could be. So don’t wait!
Your health (or the health of a loved one) might benefit from a screening and it couldn’t be easier. Sign up for yourself or a loved one today.
