[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/12\/emergency-heart-conditions\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/12\/emergency-heart-conditions\/","headline":"Treating Emergency Heart Conditions: A Team Effort","name":"Treating Emergency Heart Conditions: A Team Effort","description":"UPMC\u2019s world-class cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, nurses, and technologists are available around the clock to treat emergency heart conditions, such as heart attacks. Some team members are even required to live near their respective hospitals because when duty calls, they must arrive within 30 minutes. When patients suffer heart attacks, time is of the essence to […]","datePublished":"2020-12-07","dateModified":"2021-01-15","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/heart-vascular","name":"Heart and Vascular Institute","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/heart-vascular","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/heart-and-vascular-institute\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/iStock-1061990918.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/iStock-1061990918.jpg","height":325,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/12\/emergency-heart-conditions\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Heart and Vascular Health"],"wordCount":488,"articleBody":"UPMC\u2019s world-class cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, nurses, and technologists are available around the clock to treat emergency heart conditions, such as heart attacks. Some team members are even required to live near their respective hospitals because when duty calls, they must arrive within 30 minutes.When patients suffer heart attacks, time is of the essence to ensure their survival and quality of life.A Patient\u2019s PerspectiveAt age 40, Pittsburgh native Mike Zdinak received a lifesaving emergency angioplasty at UPMC after a heart attack caused him to collapse inside a mall. A police officer who responded to the 911 call worked with others at the scene to administer CPR and deliver shocks from an automated external defibrillator.Within minutes, the local Emergency Medical Service (EMS) team arrived and performed an electrocardiogram, which confirmed Mike was experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. Paramedics continued giving lifesaving shocks and fluids in the ambulance during the ride to the hospital, where the Emergency Department\u00a0(ED) and cardiac catheterization team were ready and waiting.After Mike was stabilized in the ED, he was moved to the catheterization lab (typically referred to as the cath lab). That\u2019s where a balloon was inflated inside Mike\u2019s blocked artery to restore blood flow to his heart. The time it took to start the procedure after Mike\u2019s arrival at the hospital\u2026a mere 65 minutes.\u201cWhen you\u2019re having a heart attack, time is muscle,\u201d says\u00a0Christopher Wentz, MD,\u00a0an interventional cardiologist who performed Mike\u2019s angioplasty. \u201cQuick intervention increases your chance of survival and minimizes damage to the heart.\u201dMike survived blockages to two main arteries, including his left anterior descending artery, known as \u201cthe widowmaker\u201d because blockages there are often fatal. Following his procedure, the father-of-three stayed in UPMC\u2019s cardiothoracic intensive care unit for about a month before spending 10 days in inpatient rehabilitation.Mike then returned to work as a special education teacher. He says he\u2019ll always be thankful for the treatment he received.\u201cThey saved my life \u2014 that combination of first responders, emergency staff, the cath lab team, and follow-up care. I really shouldn\u2019t be here. The fact that I\u2019m talking now says how amazing my care was.\u201dSymptoms of a Heart AttackWhile most heart attacks start slowly with mild pain or discomfort, some are sudden and intense. Subtle signs that are often overlooked include shortness of breath or a feeling of indigestion or upset stomach. Watch out for these warning signs:Chest pain or discomfort, including uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, or fullnessPain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomachShortness of breath, breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, weakness, or lightheadednessAdvanced Cardiovascular CareUPMC hospitals average a 68-minute \u201cdoor-to-balloon\u201d time compared to the 90-minute national guideline for hospitals. Their tertiary care centers are fully equipped to handle emergency cardiac interventions and complex open heart surgeries, such as valve replacements and coronary bypasses."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2020","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"12","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/\/12\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Treating Emergency Heart Conditions: A Team Effort","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/12\/emergency-heart-conditions\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]