According to the American Heart Association, about every 25 seconds an American will suffer a heart attack and every minute, one will die from it. In addition to this, it is calculated that every 4 minutes, someone will die of a stroke. In emergency situations, time is everything. It could be the difference between life and death or a full or partial recovery when it comes to matters of the heart.
Symptoms of a Heart Attack
Knowing these symptoms could mean the difference between life and death.
- Intense pressure or crushing pain in your chest (this may extend down arms, neck, or back.
- moderate chest pain, tightness, pressure, or vague discomfort
- feeling faint, dizzy, or weak
- difficulty breathing
- a feeling of severe indigestion that doesn't go away after taking antacid
- feeling of impending doom that something terrible is happening
There are slight differentiations
for men and women
When the Emergency Department at Upland Hills Health receives a call that a patient will soon be coming through their doors, the team prepares to have everything in place so they can take swift action. Taking swift, accurate action is the main priority for the staff and although their action is already rapid, they are continually implementing new procedures to make it even better.
To bring the highest level of technology and care to the community, the Upland Hills Health Emergency Department has joined forces with the cardiac centers of Dean St. Mary's, Meriter, and UW Health in the S.T. Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) program.
The STEMI program rapidly identifies heart attack patients and coordinates transport to Madison area hospitals for heart catheterization and balloon angioplasty (if indicated). One phone call is all it takes from Upland Hills Health to the receiving hospital to notify the Cardiologist and to activate the Cath Lab.
"Research shows that heart attack patients that receive heart catheratization within 90 minutes of coming to the Emergency Department have improved long-term outcomes. Our goal is to do everything in our power to get patients to Madison under that 90 minute mark to give them the best possible result," said Upland Hills Health Emergency Department Director Patty Hinderman.
In order to make this goal more obtainable, the STEMI program has made changes to the communication process between the Emergency Department, the other hospitals and local EMS groups.
To give the patient the best possible outcome, the Emergency Department is working with local EMS groups to get a read out of the patient's EKG directly from the ambulance. Getting this information would cut back on time by allowing the staff to review it and determine which area of the heart is affected while the patient is still in transport. In return, this allows the staff to be ready with patient specific medications or processes instead of waiting until they arrive to determine.
"If you are experiencing chest pain or other symptoms of a heart attack, please don't hesitate. Call 911 and get to the Emergency Room. Symptoms may seem like heart burn, but waiting to see if the pain clears up could mean the difference between life and death," stated Hinderman.
Educate yourself and be prepared for an emergency by knowing the symptoms of a heart attack or stroke. You can find a complete listing of symptoms at www.americanheart.org, the official site of the American Heart Association. Upland Hills Health Emergency Department staff is ready if you need them. A doctor is on staff 24/7 to provide big city Emergency Care –right in Dodgeville.
The Upland Hills Health Emergency Department Team continually works to provide the greatest quality care.
Pictured left to right: Patty Hinderman, Director, Ginny Haas and Brad Jebbia, ED RN's.
