Critical Care for Chest Pain

If you experience the warning signs of a heart attack, do not delay. Seek help immediately.

When it comes to health, you may be the kind of person to put on a brave face and push through the pain. But if you feel sensations typical of a heart attack, getting timely medical care could mean the difference between life and death.

“The earlier we can intervene, the better your chance of a good outcome,” said Jennifer Chism, MSN, RN, interim vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer with Saint Joseph Mount Sterling. “In the case of heart attack, time is muscle.”

The most serious type of heart attack is known as an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, or a STEMI. This event occurs when a blood clot partially or totally blocks an artery that supplies blood to the heart. As a result, heart muscle begins to die.

Warning signs of a STEMI include:          

• Chest pain          
• Dizziness          
• Nausea          
• Sweating

Cardiac screenings are an important step to stay in tune with heart health. Learn more about cardiac screenings here.