A Fast Response Saves Failing Hearts

When a heart attack strikes, an invisible clock starts ticking. From the moment a clot blocks one of the arteries supplying blood flow to the heart, each second causes more damage to the heart muscle. Manatee Memorial Hospital has the technology, procedures and professionals to stop the attack in its tracks and put time back on your side.

Manatee Memorial is an ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Receiving Center. ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) is the technical name for a heart attack. "This certification lets paramedics know that patients who experience heart attacks in our area can be brought here for evaluation and treatment to open clogged arteries," says Linda Antes, Director of Emergency Services and Intensive Care.

Preparations to treat a heart attack victim begin even before the patient arrives at the hospital. If paramedics suspect a heart attack, they perform an electrocardiogram, a test that detects abnormal heart rhythms, when they first reach the patient's side. They then alert Manatee Memorial's Emergency Department (ED) and the ED then calls a STEMI alert.

After evaluation, the patient is transferred directly to the Cath Lab, where cardiologists, radiologists, cardiovascular surgeons and cardiac nurses use sophisticated imaging and surgical techniques to pinpoint the clogged vessel, remove the blockage and restore blood flow. The goal is to open the vessel within 90 minutes from the time the patient enters the hospital. The faster the blood flow to the heart is re-established, the better the chance is for a full recovery.

Treating All Forms of Chest Pain
But Manatee Memorial doesn't focus only on treating hearts in immediate crisis. "Many times heart trouble first appears as minor, intermittent chest pain, and too often, people wait too long to seek treatment," says Alberto Montalvo M.D., cardiologist. The experts at Manatee Memorial can quickly diagnose these more subtle but suspicious symptoms and provide treatment in critical early stages, when intervention is most effective.

"Manatee Memorial plans to be accredited as a Certified Chest Pain Center by the Society of Chest Pain Centers sometime this year," adds Ms. Antes. "We want our community to know that chest pain should never be ignored, and we're always here to help."

Signs of a Heart Attack
According to the American Heart Association, the following are some of the signs of a heart attack:

• Chest discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts longer than a few minutes or goes away and comes back
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body, including pain in one or both arms or the back, neck, jaw or stomach
• Shortness of breath
• Other signs of discomfort, including breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or light-headedness

Be Heart Smart
Learn more about what you can do to stay heart healthy by visiting us online at www.manateememorial.com.

206 Second Street East, Bradenton, FL 34208 941-746-5111 FAX: 941-745-6862