You’re having chest pains – an uncomfortable squeezing in the center of your chest. The pain radiates down one or both of your arms.
You suspect you’re having a heart attack.
The WVU Heart Institute has the doctors, technology, and facilities to make a rapid diagnosis and take, quick effective action 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We’ve refined our coordination and teamwork to a science.
Robert J. Beto, MD, chair of the WVU Department of Cardiology, noted that patient cases are regularly reviewed by a team of emergency physicians, cardiologists and nurses, ensuring the highest level of cardiovascular care.
In the event of a heart attack, emergency medical technicians can instantly transmit electrocardiograms (EKGs) to physicians at WVU. These capabilities have been in place for years, he said.
For a heart attack patient, “door to balloon” is the time from arrival at the hospital until the start of balloon angioplasty. The national goal for “door to balloon” is 90 minutes. But the WVU Heart Institute far exceeds that goal with a “door to balloon” time of 65 minutes.
Balloon angioplasty opens coronary arteries, restores blood flow to the heart muscle, and decreases the patient’s risk of disability or death.
If you think you’re having a heart attack, call 911 immediately.
For more information on the WVU Heart Institute, visit www.wvuheart.com.
