Advanced Cardiac Care
Coronary artery disease (CAD) affects more than 16 million Americans, making it the most common form of heart disease. To address this, ACMH is at the forefront of medical advancement with PCI procedures - performed by highly coordinated teams of skilled medical professionals. Cardiac procedures regularly performed at ACMH enable heart specialists to unblock arteries and prevent or treat heart damage through the options of coronary balloon angioplasty and stenting procedures.
Time is Muscle
Timeliness is the key to offering the best cardiac care, because time is muscle. In emergency coronary cases, quickly implementing vital interventions can help to preserve heart muscle that might otherwise be damaged during a heart attack. The PA Department of Health Division of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) recommends that patients with STEMI (Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction) be transported to the nearest facility capable of treating emergent PCI (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention).
The ACMH STEMI team, including interventional cardiologists, responds immediately and is put into action before the patient arrives. Dr. Ramzi Khalil of Cardiology Associates is the Medical Director of the ACMH Cath Lab, and serves as the primary interventional cardiologist. Cardiology Associates provides service 24/7 at ACMH and Pittsburgh-area hospitals.
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)
ACMH is once again at the forefront of medical advancement with the addition of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI). In treating heart attacks, time is of the essence and now our patients can be treated in a timely fashion in our own community!
PCI procedures enable heart specialists to unblock heart arteries and to prevent or treat heart damage through the options of opening arteries with coronary balloon angioplasty and stenting procedures. In emergent cases, these vital interventions can help to preserve heart muscle that might otherwise be damaged during a heart attack. With the addition of these services at ACMH Hospital, our patients can now be treated locally by the same highly skilled cardiologists that perform PCI in city hospitals.
Interventional Cardiac Catheterization
Cardiac catheterization is a procedure done to help your doctor diagnose diseases of the heart such as blocked arteries, heart valve defects or heart muscle damage to determine whether additional treatment is necessary.
This procedure involves the insertion of a small tube, or catheter, into a blood vessel in the leg. The catheter is then guided through this blood vessel to your heart with the aid of a special x-ray machine. When the catheter is correctly positioned, a small amount of dye is injected and allows the physician to visualize blockages in the heart’s arteries.
KNOW THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A HEART ATTACK: Catch the signs early
Don’t wait to get help if you experience any heart attack warning signs. Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but others start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Pay attention to your body and CALL 911 if you experience:
- Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes – or it may go away and then return. 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. This can occur with or without chest discomfort.
- Other signs. Other possible signs include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
LEARN MORE: Warning Signs of a Heart Attack | American Heart Association
Cardiac Rehab an exercise program exclusively for people with heart disease, designed to cater to the special needs of those who have recently experienced a cardiac event. You will be surrounded by other people who have “been there, done that,” and understand what you are going through. The staff is specially trained to deal with cardiac patients and their unique problems.
The rehabilitation process starts as very minimal exercises that gradually increase as you improve and begin to feel better. It will teach you how to exercise safely and effectively to improve your quality of life. Benefits of cardiac rehab can include reduced cardiac symptoms, better long term survival, weight loss, improved cholesterol and triglyceride levels, improved blood pressure, lower blood sugars in diabetics and reduced stress.
You wouldn’t have a knee replaced without going to therapy; why would you take chances with your heart? After all, it is the only one you have!
For more information, please call 724-543-8453.