The SAINT BARNABAS HEART CENTERS Remind Families to Take Heart Attack Symptoms Seriously

Livingston, N.J. -- February is American Heart Month and the SAINT BARNABAS HEART CENTERS remind families to take symptoms seriously and to summon medical assistance by calling 9-1-1 immediately if they think a family member is having a heart attack. Heart disease remains the nation's number one killer of both men and women.

“If you or a family member are exhibiting signs of a heart attack, call an ambulance instead of attempting to drive to the hospital,” says Gary J. Rogal M.D., Chief of Cardiology, Saint Barnabas, Saint Barnabas Health Care System. “If his or her condition should worsen, there is nothing you can do to help while driving. Ambulance crews have training and equipment to care for heart attack patients while they are being transported to the hospital.”

Two years ago the SAINT BARNABAS HEART CENTERS received the designation of Accredited Chest Pain Center by the Society of Chest Pain Centers. As part of this designation, their ambulances are equipped with an Emergency Medical System that can transmit an exact electrocardiogram (EKG) before the patient reaches the hospital. With this electrocardiographic analysis, all necessary staff and testing can be made available before the patient’s arrival.

Signs of a Heart Attack

The most common symptoms of a heart attack include:

There are less common warning signs of heart attack that should also be taken seriously, especially if they accompany any of the above symptoms. The intensity of the symptoms is not significant and they may not result in actual pain, reports Dr. Rogal, as for example, shortness of breath is not considered painful. The important feature is that these symptoms are new, possibly subtle, and there is no reason for them (for example, abdominal discomfort without having a recent meal).

These less common symptoms include:

Not all these signs occur in every attack. Sometimes symptoms go away and return. In all cases a person can lower the chance of dying from a heart attack by recognizing symptoms and getting medical help immediately.

If someone is having a heart attack, the individual should stop all activity; lie down, loosen clothing around the chest area, and remain calm until the ambulance arrives. If the person becomes unconscious, check for breathing and pulse; if absent, and if trained to do it, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). If the victim is alert, have him or her swallow an aspirin, unless the person's physician has advised otherwise.

Only one percent of all hospitals in the U.S. have the designation of Accredited Chest Pain Center. The SAINT BARNABAS HEART CENTERS are one of only 80 hospitals in the nation — and the only one in New Jersey — to perform all of these cardiac services: cardiac surgery, interventional cardiology (catheter based treatment) and minimally invasive cardiac surgery; the full spectrum of diagnostic and therapeutic cardiac procedures; non-invasive laboratories including echocardiography, stress testing, cardiopulmonary function testing and ambulatory 24-hour electrocardiogram monitoring (Holter) services, electrophysiology (the study of the heart’s electrical system), cardiac MRI and CT angiography; as well as cardiac rehabilitation and cardiac wellness.

The site at Saint Barnabas Medical Center is well known for physician expertise in end stage heart failure; for the Heart Failure Treatment and Transplant program, which provides the most advanced treatment options for people with congestive heart failure or end-stage cardiac disease, including cardiac transplantation; and for the research protocols that are performed at the Center for Adult Congenital Heart Disease.

Members of the surgical team are recognized as national leaders in the field of cardiothoracic surgery and are advancing the latest minimally invasive techniques that offer patients faster recovery and fewer complications. For an appointment, call 1-888-8-HEART-1.

January 23, 2007

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