Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Knowing Signs and Symptoms of a Heart Attack Can Be a Lifesaver

In 2007, Port St. Lucie resident Barry Lombard experienced discomfort in his upper chest and thought it was merely indigestion. When it began to worsen, he immediately went to Martin Memorial Health Services at St. Lucie West, where he learned he was having a heart attack. The very next day, interventional cardiologist Stephen McIntyre, MD, performed stent placement surgery on Lombard at the Frances Langford Heart Center at
Martin Memorial.

Sometimes it can be hard to determine whether chest pain is simply indigestion or a heart attack. For Lombard, seeking medical care at the onset of symptoms helped avoid complications. Knowing the warning signs of a heart attack, and knowing how to respond, could save a life.

These symptoms may appear in men and women:
• Chest pain, pressure or squeezing
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Tightness in the chest
• Pain spreading to the shoulders, neck, arm or jaw
• Heartburn or indigestion with or without nausea and vomiting
• Sudden dizziness or brief loss of consciousness

These symptoms are more common in women:
• Indigestion or gaslike pain
• Recurring chest discomfort
• Dizziness, nausea or vomiting
• Sense of impending doom
• Unexplained weakness or fatigue
• Discomfort or pain in the arms, stomach, jaw, neck or between the shoulder blades
• Difficulty sleeping
• Cold sweat

If you or someone you are with has one or more of these symptoms, don’t delay. Call 911 immediately. Lombard’s ability to recognize the signs of a heart attack helped him receive quick treatment, which allowed for a faster recovery and a better outcome.

“After the surgery, I felt great,” Lombard recalls. “The doctors, nurses and everyone in between were always one step ahead. Overall, it was a very pleasant experience considering the severity of the situation. The staff at the heart center made a very difficult time seem easy.”

Lombard’s trip to the heart center was also a learning experience. Now, at age 68, Lombard shares with family, friends and neighbors the importance of knowing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack, and he assures them that they will receive excellent care at Martin Memorial.

“Since visiting the heart center, I’ve had other unrelated health concerns,” says Lombard. “When I was faced with the choice of where to have my knee surgery, it was an easy decision. I went to Martin Memorial.”

Note: This article originally appeared in Martin Memorial’s “For Your Health” magazine. For more on this and other health related topics, visit mmhs.com.

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