A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle — known as the myocardium — is severed. These blockages to coronary arteries happen when plaque (deposits of fat-like substances) builds up and splits or ruptures. When this happens, blood clots begin to form and block the artery. Known as atherosclerosis, this blockage causes chest pain and heart attacks. If blood flow is restricted for longer than a few minutes, muscle damage becomes permanent and leads to disability or even death.

Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States. According to the American Heart Association, each year heart disease kills almost half a million people. Currently, more than 17 million Americans have a history of heart attack or chest pain and roughly 1.3 million people will suffer a first time or recurrent heart attack this year.

This is exactly why SJCH invested in becoming a Nationally Accredited Chest Pain Center.

No matter how you arrive at our Emergency Room, our experienced staff is specially trained to quickly discover the source of your pain. If you’re having a heart attack, our Cardiac Alert Team composed of skillful cardiac caregivers — comes alive. With expert caregivers and advanced technology — like our new digital cath lab suites — we’re ready when you need us. If your heart condition requires a stay at our hospital, you’ll be monitored and tested to ensure you’re on the mend. Upon release, our Wellness Center provides cardiac rehabilitation services to help you get back on your feet. From the moment you come to the moment you’re well, you’re priority number one. Because that’s what you deserve.

• Pressure and/or pain in chest
• Pain in arms, back or stomach
• Pain in the neck or jaw
• Difficulty breathing
• Feeling light-headed or breaking out in a sweat

Remember, not all warning signs occur before every heart attack. Never ignore the signs of a heart attack, even if they go away.

Although some people are more likely to have a heart attack — depending on race, age and gender — there are things everyone can do to lower the risk of having a heart attack.

• Don’t smoke
• Control your cholesterol
• Exercise regularly
• Maintain a diet low in fat
• Keep your blood pressure low
• If you have diabetes, follow your doctor’s recommendations

If you or a loved one are experiencing any of the symptoms of a heart attack, call 9-1-1 immediately. Once the ambulance arrives, ask them to take you to San Joaquin Community Hospital’s Nationally Accredited Chest Pain Center.

For more information on our Nationally Certified Chest Pain Center, please call (661) 869-6502.

At SJCH, you’ll also benefit from three cardiovascular labs with state-of-the-art technology.

The staff of technologists and nurses average 20 plus years of experience. And top physicians are available in both peripheral and vascular cardiac care.

You’ll find specialists experienced in performing cardiac and peripheral vascular procedures such as:

• Cardiac catheterizations — A common non-surgical procedure to help diagnose or locate artery, valve or heart muscle problems.
• Peripheral angiograms and interventions — An x-ray of the arteries located in the legs, neck, brain, and kidneys to see if any arteries are blocked.
• Angioplasty (PTCA) — A non-surgical treatment for blocked or narrowed passages in one or more coronary artery to allow normal blood flow through the heart muscle.
• Stent placements including Drug Eluting Stents (DES) and Bare Metal Stents (BMS) — Small wire mesh tubes used to hold the artery open and maintain blood flow.
• Coronary rotational atherectomy — A catheter-based procedure to treat coronary artery disease (CAD), a disease characterized by the "hardening" of the arteries.
• Electrophysiology studies (EPS) such as ablations and ICD implants (defibrillators) — These use temporary pacemaker catheters to examine and record the heart’s electrical activity to help diagnose irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias).
• Insertion of pacemakers — These artificial devices are placed inside permanently (or outside temporarily), so the heart rate does not fall to dangerous levels.
• Penumbra System — A life-saving inter-cerebral procedure for strokes that dissolves blood clots in the brain, the only such device in Kern County.