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Thursday, February 23, 2023

Heart Attacks Don't Wait (And Neither Should You)

Posted By: Advancing Care

Feeling weak, light-headed or faint? Have chest pain or discomfort? You may be experiencing cardiac distress. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department if symptoms of a heart attack are present which include, but are not limited to, the following (source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention): 

  • Chest pain or discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center or left side of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes or that goes away and comes back. The discomfort can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain.
  • Feeling weak, light-headed, or faint. You may also break out into a cold sweat.
  • Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck or back.
  • Pain or discomfort in one or both arms or shoulders.
  • Shortness of breath. This often comes along with chest discomfort, but shortness of breath also can happen before chest discomfort.

Heart Care Solutions at HealthAlliance Hospital 

The cardiac catheterization laboratory at HealthAlliance Hospital in Kingston is the only one of its kind in Ulster County and is also the closest care option for many requiring emergent and preventive solutions for blocked arteries, irregular heartbeats and coronary heart disease. 

In February 2023 heart specialists at HealthAlliance Hospital announced they had performed more than 700 procedures since cardiac catheterization services began at the hospital in 2021, more than 100 of which were lifesaving procedures in patients with acute heart attacks. Prior to the launch of the service in July 2021 many of these cardiac emergencies would have been transferred to another healthcare facility outside of Ulster County, resulting in the loss of precious minutes for a potentially lifesaving intervention.   

When it comes to your heart, you can count on HealthAlliance Hospital, WMCHealth Physicians and the WMCHealth Heart and Vascular Institute for comprehensive cardiology care. To request an appointment or refer a patient call 866.WMC.HEART or 866.962.4327.

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