Heart Attack Care
Pardee cardiologists work jointly with Henderson, Transylvania and Polk County EMS to provide ongoing training to staff so they can care for the patient the moment they arrive on scene and then work in tandem during transport to begin initial treatment. Pardee’s Emergency Department is equipped to handle heart attacks around the clock: we're a designated PCI-receiving hospital, 24/7 STEMI care provider, and have earned Chest Pain Center Accreditation by the American College of Cardiology.
With our staff of interventional cardiologists and our on-site cardiac catheterization lab, we offer lifesaving cardiac catheterization to open blocked arteries and minimize damage to your heart muscle.
If you experience any of the symptoms consistent with a heart attack or acute coronary syndrome, call 911 immediately. Driving delays treatment.
Heart Attack Treatment at Pardee
During a heart attack, a cardiac catheterization becomes a lifesaving procedure, as the interventional cardiologist races to open the blood vessel before permanent damage to the heart occurs. With our interventional cardiologists and Emergency Department staff, we’re ready to activate our Cardiac Cath Lab team to treat you.
A quick response time is essential in saving heart muscle from permanent damage. Once heart attack symptoms begin, the blockage should be cleared within 90 minutes, according to standards of the American College of Cardiology.
Driving to the hospital delays treatment. Always call 9-1-1 so that EMS can begin administering care on the way to the hospital. Pardee works jointly with Henderson, Transylvania and Polk County EMS to provide an optimal response time starting from the moment 9-1-1 is called. Our cardiologists provide ongoing training to EMS staff and work in tandem during transport to assess the patient and begin initial treatment.
Once the patient arrives at Pardee via ambulance, they are immediately taken to the cardiac catheterization lab for a coronary angioplasty to be performed. This is a non-surgical procedure performed by a cardiologist that uses a catheter to insert a deflated balloon into the blocked artery. The balloon is then inflated, allowing blood flow through the artery again. A stent is then placed in the artery.
Heart Attack Symptoms
Know the Symptoms
Heart attack symptoms can vary in intensity, duration and may be different for men and women. Don’t delay care, ignore the warning signs or wait to see if symptoms worsen. If you experience any of the heart attack symptoms shown below, call 9-1-1 immediately.
- Chest pain or pressure, or a strange feeling in the chest
- Sweating
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea or vomiting
- Pain, pressure, or a strange feeling in the back, neck, jaw, or upper belly, or in one or both shoulders or arms
- Lightheadedness or sudden weakness
- A fast or irregular heartbeat
- Heartburn or indigestion
- Extreme fatigue
Do not attempt to drive yourself or someone else to seek care if you are experiencing symptoms of a heart attack.
If someone collapses, call 911. Perform hands-only CPR and ask someone to locate an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
Different Symptoms in Women vs. Men
Some heart attack symptoms can be different between men and women. Why does it matter? Women may be less likely to seek immediate medical care which can cause more damage to the heart.
- Men normally feel pain and numbness in the left arm or side of chest, but in women, these symptoms may appear on the right side.
- Women may feel completely exhausted, drained, dizzy or nauseated.
- Women may feel upper back pain that travels up into their jaw.
- Women may think their stomach pain is the flu, heartburn or an ulcer.
What are Atypical Presentations?
In an atypical presentation, the signs and symptoms are different. How? The patient may not complain about pain or pressure in the chest. Be alert for the following:
- A sharp or “knife-like” pain occurs with coughing or breathing.
- Pain that spreads above the jawbone or into the lower body.
- Difficult or labored breathing.
Heart Attack Risk Factors
These are the general risk factors associated with heart attacks. Discuss your risk with your doctor.
- Chest pain, pressure, burning, aching or tightness - it may come and go
- A family history of cardiovascular disease
- High blood pressure
- Overweight or obese
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Using tobacco products
- Metabolic disease, diabetes or other illnesses
- For women, it can also include birth control pills, a history of pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes or having a low birth weight baby
Discover Your Risk
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