Heart Attack Signs and Care

When you experience a heart attack, timely medical attention could save your life. That’s why Tidelands Health responds rapidly with a balloon angioplasty that restores blood flow to your heart and stops your heart attack. Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital’s average door-to-balloon time is 44 minutes – which is quicker than the 90-minute national gold standard. From the moment you or a loved one reports your symptoms, we work quickly to preserve your heart and your health.

Award-Winning Heart Attack Care

You can trust Tidelands Health to provide treatment that leads to the best possible outcome of your heart attack. That’s because both Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital and Tidelands Waccamaw Community Hospital have earned national recognition for heart attack care.

Heart Attack Signs

Learn the signs of a heart attack so you can respond quickly to the emergency and minimize damage. Call 911 immediately if you or someone you know experiences any of these symptoms:

• Uncomfortable pressure, tightness or fullness in your chest or upper abdomen
• Pain in your shoulders, arms, back, neck or jaw
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Nausea
• Sweating

Women may feel less chest pressure and notice more fatigue, lightheadedness, stomach discomfort and shortness of breath than men do. When you know how the signs of heart attack in women differ from the symptoms men experience, you can better recognize the medical emergency when it happens.

Responding Quickly to Your Symptoms

After you or a loved one experiences signs of a heart attack, don’t try to drive to the hospital. To get the quickest care and stay as safe as possible, call 911 and follow the emergency medical dispatcher’s instructions. Emergency responders will rush to your location and perform an EKG to help diagnose your condition.

If you get a diagnosis of heart attack, an ambulance will take you to the nearest hospital that offers treatment. If you’re transported to Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital, you’ll go immediately to a cardiac catheterization lab where specially trained cardiologists will complete an angioplasty to stop your heart attack and relieve your symptoms.

Recover After a Heart Attack

Following a heart attack or heart surgery, cardiac rehabilitation at Tidelands Health will help you get active again and strengthen your heart. You’ll start recovering in the hospital and can continue to take advantage of rehabilitation services after you return home.