Emergency departments are not all equal in their ability to provide advanced
diagnostics, immediate care, and fast interventional care. Accreditations
exist to help patients know when their local emergency department specializes
in treating certain medical problems, like chest pain.
Valley Health is proud that
Winchester Medical Center has been a designated Chest Pain Center since 2006, as recognized by the
American College of Cardiology Accreditation Services. Three other Valley
Health hospitals have earned Chest Pain Center designation:
Warren Memorial Hospital in 2012,
Shenandoah Memorial Hospital in 2020 and
Page Memorial Hospital in 2021. This means that known specialists in the field of heart attack
treatment have testified that our patients receive the best possible care.
Our hospitals' designation is an incredible achievement, as the ACC has
very robust and stringent criteria.
Why Visit a Designated Chest Pain Center
Ultimately, because we provide the best possible outcomes for heart attack
patients. The sooner a heart attack is treated, the less damage is sustained
to the heart—helping patients recover more fully and return to a
healthy, active life. Chest Pain Centers can also offer more precise and
advanced diagnostic tools, leading to more accurate treatment.
Our regional hospitals that are designated Chest Pain Centers work closely
with local EMS partners and the Heart & Vascular Center at WMC to
facilitate fast and effective early treatment and provide coordinated care.
Response time is also a vital part of what makes the Chest Pain Center
effective. WMC has eliminated the 30-minute wait time for our catheterization
lab—meaning patients receive life-saving, interventional treatment sooner.
The Symptoms of a Heart Attack
Chest Pain / Discomfort
Upper Body Discomfort
Shortness of Breath
Cold Sweat
Nausea / Vomiting
Fatigue / Weakness
Heart Palpitations
For women, heart attack symptoms also include:
Abdominal Pain
Heartburn
Clammy Skin
Dizziness
Sudden Fatigue
If you experience any of these symptoms in any combination, call 9-1-1
IMMEDIATELY. While it is possible that the symptoms are not a heart attack,
being cautious is far better than the alternative. Don't wait to seek
help. Make trained EMS first responders your first call, rather than driving
to the emergency department yourself.
Survive. Don't Drive!
To learn more about the importance of early heart attack care, click here.
CardioSmart, a program of the American College of Cardiology, offers information
about heart conditions, resources to support important health care conversations,
and tools to build the partnership between patients and clinicians.
Click here to learn more.
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