90 minutes-that’s the amount of time health care providers have to help reduce the damage incurred from a heart attack.

Every year, about one and a half million Americans suffer a heart attack. Recognizing and reacting to the early symptoms of a heart attack and reducing the time it takes to receive treatment will improve your chances of survival and recovery.

At Lake Health, our specially trained team of Emergency Room Physicians, Nurses, and Cardiologists know the early signs of a heart attack and are prepared to intervene quickly. Our team has established standards designed to improve the consistency and quality of care provided to our patients.

The Emergency Chest Pain Centers at both TriPoint Medical Center and Lake West Medical Center Emergency Departments, accredited by the Society of Chest Pain Centers, are nationally recognized as experts in Early Heart Attack Care and intervention.

Lake Health is also an American Heart Association “Get with the Guidelines-Coronary Artery Disease” designated center which aligns our clinical treatments with the latest scientific guidelines.

What is a Heart Attack?

A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is interrupted- which deprives the heart muscle of oxygen and causes damage or tissue death. Other names for a heart attack include coronary attack, myocardial infarction, coronary thrombosis and acute coronary syndrome.

Chest pain is one of the most common symptoms of a heart attack, but not everyone who has a heart attack experiences the same chest pain. Some may experience subtle indigestion that is non- relieved, other experience crushing, chest pressure, others extreme fatigue. It is important to consult your health care provider and understand the symptoms of a heart attack.

Symptoms of a Heart Attack

• Shortness of breath
• Chest heaviness
• Chest pain
• Arm, neck, or jaw pain
• Indigestion
• Extreme fatigue
• Heart Racing
• Excessive sweating
• Nausea
• Any combination of these

If you experience any of these symptoms, Do Not Delay. Call 9-1-1 immediately.

Healthy Heart Tips

You can take steps now to promote a heart healthy lifestyle:

• If you smoke –Quit
• Eat a heart healthy diet- low in saturated fat and cholesterol and rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables
• Exercise regularly
• Lose excess weight
• Drink alcohol in moderation- one or fewer drinks per day for women and two or fewer drinks per day for men
• Get regular check ups from your health care provider
• Follow your physician’s medication and treatment orders carefully. Do not change, add or stop medication without consulting your doctor.

Resources for Further information:

• American Heart Association: www.americanheart.org
• Act in Time to Heart Attack Signs: www.nhlbi.nih.gov/actintime/
• Department of Health and Human Services Division for heart disease and stroke prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/roadmap
• Healthy Ohio- smoking cessation resource site and other healthy heart tips: www.healthyohioprogram.org