Heart Attack Survival Initiative

INCREASE YOUR CHANCE OF SURVIVAL. TRUST 911. MAKE THE CALL.

 There is no time for doubt with a heart attack. Calling 911 at the first signs of a heart attack could save your life. Reducing time to medical treatment is the primary factor in surviving a heart attack. Calling 911 is the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment.

HERE'S WHY

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) staff begins treatment immediately. Beginning with the 911 dispatcher, the team works to identify and treat a heart attack upon arrival — up to an hour sooner than if someone arrives at the hospital by car. EMS teams are also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. Additionally, the EMS team communicates directly with the on-call hospital staff so that treatment can start the moment the ambulance reaches the hospital. Patients with chest pain who arrive by ambulance at the hospital are fast-tracked and rushed to the cath lab (catheterization laboratory) for treatment because they have already completed their initial testing. The EMS team knows what to do. They understand the situation and have the equipment and training to treat your heart attack first. 

Trust 911 and make the call at the first sign of a heart attack. Don't Die of Doubt.

What happens when you call 911? 

Medical care begins immediately! 
Bystanders are provided CPR instruction by the 911 dispatcher
Patient's condition is assessed upon arrival of the ambulance
EMS has the equipment and training to...

• Identify a suspected heart attack and initiate testing and monitoring of the patient's  heart with a ECG (electrocardiogram)
• Revive someone whose heart has stopped
• Stabilize the patient for transport to the hospital

Patients are routed to the closest and most appropriate hospital - the one with a cath lab (catheterization laboratory) and equipment that helps determine the type of treatment needed? Medical information and ECG results are communicated to the hospital so treatment can begin upon arrival.