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Milton Hospital Cardiac Emergencies Receive Priority Treatment at BIDMC
It was Friday after Thanksgiving, a day Paul Williams of Holbrook had set aside for some end-of-year yard work. After cutting the grass and finishing some strenuous raking, Paul experienced a subtle tightness in his chest that had come and gone over the past few days. This time, it didn’t subside.
An emergency nurse at Milton Hospital, Paul’s wife recognized the heart attack symptoms, which are often subtle. The discomfort, facial discoloration, fatigue. Soon they were on the way to Milton Hospital’s emergency room.
After an immediate battery of tests revealed damage to his heart and an irregular heart rhythm, doctors at Milton Hospital determined that Paul was a candidate for advanced heart surgery. Within minutes, a seamless transport for priority treatment at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston was underway.
Would You Recognize the Signs?
Not every heart attack is “the big one” that leaves little doubt as to what’s happening. Often, symptoms are subtle, especially for women. Here’s what to look for, according to the American Heart Association:
- Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
- Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
- Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
- Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
Even if you're not sure it's a heart attack, tella doctor about your symptoms. Remember: minutes matter! Don’t wait more than five minutes to call 9-1-1.