Heart Attack

Early treatment is the key!
An electrocardiogram, or ECG, records the electrical activity of the heart muscle, and can sometimes show a heart attack in progress. If an ECG shows a heart attack is in the early stages, the physician might try to open the blocked artery before major damage occurs.

At Salem Hospital, the physicians, emergency responders, emergency room personnel and specialists on our heart attack team collaborate closely.

Rapid response is critical, so the cardiac team goes into action immediately when a heart attack patient arrives, no matter what time of the day or night.

Our team consistently beats the national goal of 90 minutes for treatment of a heart attack.

Minutes matter – do not wait!
If you think you are having a heart attack, call 911 immediately.

Heart attack warning signs

• 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—May occur with or without chest discomfort.
• Other signs—May include nausea, lightheadedness or breaking out in a cold sweat.