Cardiac Care at Alta Vista Regional Hospital focuses on the functions and disorders of the heart and its connected circulatory system. According to the American Heart Association, 84 million people in the U.S. suffer from some form of cardiovascular disease, affecting blood flow throughout the body. Cardiovascular disease can lead to heart attacks, strokes or other serious complications.

Symptoms of a Heart Attack:

• Chest pain that disappears after rest but returns with exertion
• Chest pain that is accompanied by anxiety
• Chest pain (pressure, fullness and/or squeezing) that lasts for more than two minutes
• Chest pain that radiates to the shoulders, neck and/or arms (especially the left arm)

Chest pain that lasts for more than a few minutes should be treated as a medical emergency. Seek medical assistance, but rememeber: many people who have heart attacks don’t feel chest pain and exhibit no heart attack symptoms.

When in doubt, always call 9-1-1.