• Reducing the time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis and treatment
• Treating patients more quickly during the critical window of time when the integrity of the heart muscle can be preserved
• Monitoring patients when it is not certain that they are having a heart attack to ensure that they are not sent home too quickly or needlessly admitted to the hospital

At NNMC, emergency intervention for heart attacks is coordinated with cardiologists, radiologists and surgeons. Time is critical for anyone experiencing the symptoms of a heart attack. Waiting too long before going to the Emergency Department may increase the amount of heart damage. Seeking immediate treatment can make a big difference in the quality of life after recovery.

Possible Heart Attack Symptoms

• Head and neck — You may feel light-headed and/or have pain in your neck or jaw.
• Skin — You may break into a cold sweat.
• Chest — Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the chest — the most common symptom — may last more than a few minutes or go away and come back.
• Lungs —Shortness of breath can occur with or without chest discomfort and is more common in women than men.
• Arms and back — You may feel pain or discomfort in one or both arms and your back. Men are less likely than women to feel back pain.
• Stomach — You may feel pain or discomfort in your stomach and experience nausea/vomiting.