When Life-Saving Cardiac Care Is Needed, Main Street Hospital Is Always Ready
In the next 34 seconds, someone in America will suffer a heart attack or stroke. At Main Street Hospital, we’re here 24/7 when life is on the line. Here’s a typical scenario of how our skills, technology and expertise help people in our community survive a heart attack and stroke.
6:30 a.m. The pain begins.
A man starts to feel a painful pressure or squeezing in the center of his chest as well as pain in his left arm. He hopes the pain will go away, but the symptoms become more intense.
The most common time for a heart attack is between 6 a.m. and noon. Unfortunately, morning heart attacks are usually more serious and cause more damage. Other symptoms of a heart attack can include a cold sweat, shortness of breath, nausea, lightheadedness and pain in the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
6:43 a.m. His wife calls 911.
Smart move. This couple acted fast because they recognized two of the warning signs of a heart attack. More than 80 percent of heart attacks that could be fatal can be reversed if action is taken during the first hour. If you’re in doubt about whether you’re having a heart attack, go ahead and call 911. Better to be safe than sorry.
6:53 a.m. Paramedics arrive.
Even before the diagnosis of a heart attack is confirmed, medical treatments can begin.
- Aspirin slows blood clotting and reduces the size of the clot that is causing the heart attack. If you think you are having a heart attack, chew 1 adult-strength aspirin or 2 to 4 low-dose aspirin.
- Nitroglycerin opens up the arteries to improve
blood flow. - Oxygen therapy helps the lungs to breathe and reduces the workload of the heart.
7:16 a.m. Patient arrives.
Our emergency staff, already alerted to the situation, springs into action. Several medical tests can be used to confirm the diagnosis of a heart attack, including an EKG (Electrocardiogram) and an Echocardiogram. (See Our Life-Saving Technology on this page for more detailed information.) Blood tests that check the levels of cardiac enzymes and other indicators of a heart attack are another option as well as cardiac catheterization, which can visualize the blocked artery so doctors can determine the best course of action. Once a heart attack diagnosis is confirmed, the physicians have several treatment options available, depending on the situation. These include:
Clot Busting Drugs: The sooner these medicines are given, the better—ideally within the first few hours after the first heart attack symptoms. Clot busters help dissolve any blood clots that are blocking the coronary arteries. It is usually given through an IV.
Coronary Angioplasty: When coronary arteries become narrow or blocked, an angioplasty can restore the blood flow. A thin flexible tube with a balloon on its tip is threaded through the coronary artery. Once in place, the balloon is inflated to widen the artery. In many cases, a small wire mesh tube, called a stent, is placed in the artery to help keep it open.
3 to 5 days later Most patients suffering from a heart attack are discharged from the hospital.
The next 3 to 6 Months After the patient has recovered, it’s time to start building a healthier future.
Participation in a cardiac rehab program dramatically decreases the risk of future heart problems. For example, one study showed that patients who participated in a cardiac rehab program, followed by three years of regular exercise, had a 95 percent survival rate. Our team of cardiologists, nurses, dieticians and physical therapists first conduct a detailed medical evaluation. They then provide guidance, support and motivation as patients follow a physical fitness program and receive lifestyle education to improve their heart health.
Our Lifesaving Technology for Cardiac Care
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): Uses electrodes to check heart rhythm and possible damage from a heart attack.
- Echocardiogram: Uses sound waves to create a video image of the heart.
- Cardiac CT Scan: This advanced X-ray machine moves around the body in a circle to produce 3D images of the heart and blood vessels.
- Cardiac MRI: Uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create a detailed image of the heart.
- Chest X-ray: Used to check for an enlarged heart or fluid build-up in the lungs.
- Angiogram: Takes a video of the heart in action by injecting a special fluid, called a contrast, which is visible to X-rays.
- Stress Test: Patients walk on a treadmill or pedal a stationary bike to check their heart’s performance under exertion.
- Holter Monitoring: Patients wear this lightweight, portable device for 1 - 3 days to record their heart rhythms.
Source: American Heart Association, Mayo Clinic