Heart Attack

Blood must flow freely into the heart to nourish cells with oxygen. If blood can’t get through because of blockage from a clot or other substance, a heart attack can happen.

Heart attack, also called myocardial infarction or MI, may result from hardening of the arteries, coronary artery disease, other medical conditions or, much less often, severe stress.

Symptoms of heart attack include nausea, sweating, chest pain, weakness or feeling faint with exertion, among others. Call 911 immediately for emergency help when signs indicate a possible heart attack. This Heart Alert health tool  explains more about what to know and do in a heart attack emergency.

Cardiovascular patients at Abington Memorial Hospital benefit from advanced technology for diagnostics and treatment. For emergency heart attacks, care begins at Abington’s rooftop helipad or ground floor Emergency Trauma Center.

Testing, treatment and cardiac care units are designed for immediate access and swift transport through all areas. Four cardiac catheterization suites are equipped with the highest quality, most up-to-date technology. This enables Abington to rank above the national average in emergency “door to balloon” time for coronary angioplasty and stenting.

Other leading-edge heart attack interventions include coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), hypothermic cardiac arrest therapy and ventricular remodeling.

Read a story about two heart attack patients who were also good friends, treated within hours of each other by the same Abington cardiothoracic surgeon.

For expertise on diagnosing and treating heart attack, contact the specialists at Abington’s Pilla Heart Center, including the Porter Institute for Valvular Heart Disease, Blank Vascular Center and Cardiothoracic Surgery.