UPMC’s world-class cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, nurses, and technologists are available around the clock to treat emergency heart conditions, such as heart attacks. Some team members are even required to live near their respective hospitals because when duty calls, they must arrive within 30 minutes.
When patients suffer heart attacks, time is of the essence to ensure their survival and quality of life.
A Patient’s Perspective
At age 40, Pittsburgh native Mike Zdinak received a lifesaving emergency angioplasty at UPMC after a heart attack caused him to collapse inside a mall. A police officer who responded to the 911 call worked with others at the scene to administer CPR and deliver shocks from an automated external defibrillator.
Within minutes, the local Emergency Medical Service (EMS) team arrived and performed an electrocardiogram, which confirmed Mike was experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. Paramedics continued giving lifesaving shocks and fluids in the ambulance during the ride to the hospital, where the Emergency Department (ED) and cardiac catheterization team were ready and waiting.
After Mike was stabilized in the ED, he was moved to the catheterization lab (typically referred to as the cath lab). That’s where a balloon was inflated inside Mike’s blocked artery to restore blood flow to his heart. The time it took to start the procedure after Mike’s arrival at the hospital…a mere 65 minutes.
“When you’re having a heart attack, time is muscle,” says Christopher Wentz, MD, an interventional cardiologist who performed Mike’s angioplasty. “Quick intervention increases your chance of survival and minimizes damage to the heart.”
Mike survived blockages to two main arteries, including his left anterior descending artery, known as “the widowmaker” because blockages there are often fatal. Following his procedure, the father-of-three stayed in UPMC’s cardiothoracic intensive care unit for about a month before spending 10 days in inpatient rehabilitation.
Mike then returned to work as a special education teacher. He says he’ll always be thankful for the treatment he received.
“They saved my life — that combination of first responders, emergency staff, the cath lab team, and follow-up care. I really shouldn’t be here. The fact that I’m talking now says how amazing my care was.”
Symptoms of a Heart Attack
While most heart attacks start slowly with mild pain or discomfort, some are sudden and intense. Subtle signs that are often overlooked include shortness of breath or a feeling of indigestion or upset stomach. Watch out for these warning signs:
- Chest pain or discomfort, including uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, or fullness
- Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach
- Shortness of breath, breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, weakness, or lightheadedness
Advanced Cardiovascular Care
UPMC hospitals average a 68-minute “door-to-balloon” time compared to the 90-minute national guideline for hospitals. Their tertiary care centers are fully equipped to handle emergency cardiac interventions and complex open heart surgeries, such as valve replacements and coronary bypasses.