Care for Heart Attack

If you’re having a heart attack, the faster you get care, the less damage will be done to your heart. That’s why it’s so important for you to know the symptoms of a heart attack and call 9-1-1 if someone is experiencing them. The symptoms include:

• Chest discomfort or pain that lasts more than a few minutes
• Discomfort or pain in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach
• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
• Cold sweats
• Nausea
• Lightheadedness

Our fast heart attack care program (MI Alert for Heart Attacks) saves lives and limits the amount of damage done to your heart. We educated area paramedics and EMTs to diagnose heart attacks in the field. If you’re having a heart attack, they will start treatment immediately and call ahead to our ER to ensure we’re ready when you arrive. When you arrive, a procedure performed in our cardiac catheterization lab (angioplasty) can open your blocked arteries with 90 minutes, the gold standard for heart attack care.

If our heart team determines you need bypass surgery, you’ll be in the right place. We are the third largest heart program in Pennsylvania and are recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of “America’s Best Hospitals” for heart care and heart surgery.

If you live outside the Lehigh Valley, we still can help. We’ve partnered with hospitals in Hazleton, Lehighton, Palmerton, Pottsville, Sellersville and Ashland. Our experienced MedEvac helicopter flight crew ensures people experiencing heart attack symptoms in these communities get to our hospital as soon as possible.

When you call 9-1-1, be clear and direct. Say, “I think I’m having a heart attack.” Then, chew and swallow and aspirin. Remember, if you’re experiencing symptoms, don’t wait! Call 9-1-1 to get to Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network’s ER for fast heart attack care.

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