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Heart Care

St. Luke's Five-star Rated Heart Attack Team

Leaders in Heart Attack Treatment in the St. Louis Area

No matter what time of day or night, the St. Luke's Hospital heart team works on speed of diagnosis when it comes to heart attacks. The faster we diagnose and treat patients, the better the results.

For the past two years, St. Luke's heart team has consistently met or beat American College of Cardiology and CMS guidelines of treating a heart attack within a 90-minute benchmark on every heart attack. That's important: the faster your artery is opened, the better your outlook for a long and healthy life. It's especially important for a specific kind of heart attack, called an ST elevation myocardial infarction. Those who experience this kind of heart attack and are treated within 90 minutes have a better chance for restored blood flow to the heart, less heart damage and lower mortality rates. Not all St. Louis area hospitals meet this measure and we are proud of our responsiveness and are continuing to look to lower those times, so our patients have an even better chance at survival.

We're also proud that our heart attack team is also five-star rated for heart attack treatment according to the 13th Annual HealthGrades® Hospital Quality in America Study for 2011.

Knowing the warning signs and proper steps for treatment is critical for your survival or that of a loved one. Although some heart attacks occur suddenly, a majority have clear warning signs that could mean the difference between life and death. They include:

  • Chest discomfort
  • Arm pain in one or both arms
  • Jaw pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Other signs - breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness

Women may be more likely to experience shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.

The best way to avoid a life-threatening outcome from a heart attack is to call 9-1-1. The reason? Those treated by emergency medical services (EMS) receive prompt care and increase their chance of survival. If you feel you are experiencing a heart attack - don't hesitate - call 9-1-1 immediately.