RMC Heart & Vascular Care
Chest pain. Tingling sensations. Feeling sick. Heart attack symptoms need to be taken seriously. Playing the waiting game with symptoms can be a matter of life and death. So don’t wait. Seek emergency medical attention immediately.
Contact Our Cardiac Team
Common Heart Attack Symptoms
You might find it tricky to tell illnesses apart. Am I just experiencing indigestion or is this something far worse? If you are experiencing these heart attack symptoms and don’t hesitate to act:
- Chest pain. A telltale sign not to be taken lightly.
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
- Discomfort or pain in the upper body. This can include pain in your jaw, neck, shoulders, stomach, or back. At times, heart attacks can express themselves in novel or non-traditional areas, especially in women.
- Unusual fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and cold sweat.
Heart attack symptoms aren’t something to fight through or ignore. If you experience or think you’re experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, seek medical attention immediately. Dial 911. Don’t put it off, thinking the pain will soon pass. Also, don’t try to drive to the hospital yourself. The EMS team will reach you shortly, and can begin life-saving procedures right away.
What Occurs During a Heart Attack
What causes a heart attack to happen? Heart attacks transpire when blood flow to a section of heart muscle is suddenly blocked. Proper blood flow is critical. If it fails to be reestablished, the affected muscle starts to die. Quick action can stop or limit muscle damage, and save your life.
For more information, contact RMC’s cardiac team at (256) 235-5121. We’ll help you schedule an appointment, or simply let you know what you can expect. We’re here to help you on the road to recovery.
Don’t Wait and Wonder
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute cites that more than one million people living in the U.S. have heart attacks each year. Many don’t make it to the hospital in time for help. However, with the right intervention, some do. And many of those recover. Gwen is among them.
For Gwen Hail, the night of January 31, 2015, was not unlike any other. She and her daughter returned home from a sporting event, she walked the dog, and went straight to bed. Around 11:30 p.m., she awoke with chest pain and a sick feeling.
Jason, her husband, works as a paramedic and knew to call 911. An ambulance rushed Gwen to the Regional Medical Center ER. Tests confirmed a 100% blockage of her LAD artery, also known as the “widow-maker” artery.
Fast intervention saved Gwen’s life. The blockage was relieved via coronary angioplasty and a stent was placed to keep the artery opened. Gwen was discharged from the hospital on February 4, just days after she was admitted. After a brief recovery, she resumed her work as a Home Health and Hospice Care Coordinator on March 16.
Gwen is beyond grateful for the way her husband and daughter acted fast during her life-threatening situation. Her gratitude extends to RMC’s amazing ER staff, cardiac specialists, and nurses who gave her life-saving care. She knows that every day is a blessing—and that this community is blessed to have RMC right here. If it wasn’t, she’s well aware that the outcome could have been much different. Gwen feels fortunate to have RMC so close to home.
Some of us wait to act—precious minutes and seconds that could decide life or death. Don’t fret about making a mistake. Listen to what your body is telling you and act accordingly. Don’t hesitate. Seek immediate emergency care and let a medical professional properly diagnose you.
Learn More About RMC’s Heart and Vascular Care in Anniston, AL
The RMC Heart and Vascular Program offers patients access to a system of medical services designed to help improve or maintain their heart and vascular health.
For more information, contact the RMC Cardiac team at (256) 235-5121. We’ll help you schedule an appointment, or simply learn more about what you can expect, helping you get on the road to recovery in no time.
Main Campus Location:
400 E. 10th Street
Anniston, AL 36207
Tyler Center Location:
731 Leighton Avenue
Anniston, AL 36207
Office Information:
Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30-5
Phone: (256) 741-6464
Fax: (256) 231-8676
Contact Information:
P.O. Box 2208
Anniston, AL 36202