Survive, Don't Drive

If you think you or a loved one is experiencing a heart attack, your first decision can save a life. Call 911 immediately. Do not attempt to drive to the hospital.

• During a heart attack, every second counts. The longer the heart is deprived of oxygen and medical treatment is delayed, the higher the risk of damage to the heart muscle or even death.

• Driving yourself to the hospital not only risks delays in diagnosis and life-saving treatments, but it also poses a risk to yourself and others if you lose consciousness behind the wheel.

• Treatment begins as soon as the paramedics arrive, saving critical time and heart muscle.

Plus, you can count on around-the-clock access to the region’s leader in heart attack care, right here at home:

• While en route to the hospital, your condition will be relayed to Our Lady of the Lake’s specialized heart alert team to prepare for your arrival, allowing you to bypass the Emergency Room and receive immediate treatment in one of our onsite cardiac catheterization labs.

• Our average door-to-balloon treatment time is 45 minutes, well below the recommended national guidelines of 90 minutes. Faster care means more heart muscle and lives are saved.

 

 

Know the Symptoms of Heart Attack

Memorize these common warning signs to ensure you are prepared:

• Chest pain

• Discomfort or pain in other areas, such as one or both arms, the neck, jaw, back or stomach

• Abdominal discomfort that may feel like heartburn

• Shortness of breath, nausea or lightheadedness

• Sweating

• Fatigue

If you experience or witness any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately. The most important factor in stopping a heart attack is how quickly treatment begins—not how quickly you can get to the hospital. Survive, don’t drive.