The faster your heart attack is treated, the less damage your heart experiences and the better outcome you can expect from treatment.
Call 9-1-1 right away. Do not drive yourself to the hospital. While waiting for the ambulance, take one regular tablet of aspirin unless you're allergic to aspirin.
Patients often wait because they don't want to alarm their loved ones, or they're concerned about incurring unnecessary bills. Whatever the reason, the average patient arrives in the Emergency Room (ER) more than two hours after the onset of symptoms.
Most patients don't realize that the faster a heart attack is treated, the less damage their heart will experience and the better outcome they can expect from treatment. Time is muscle.
UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown understands the need for speed when it comes to treating what may be a heart attack. We also understand your desire to avoid unnecessary admissions and medical costs. We use protocol-based procedures to reduce unnecessary treatment in the critical early stages of a heart attack. Our expertise ensures patients aren't sent home too soon or are needlessly admitted.
For more information about UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown’s Heart Care call (641) 754-5970.