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At UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, we take chest pain seriously. That's why we offer an advanced and immediate system for the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of patients experiencing chest pain.
At UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, we provide comprehensive, life-saving heart attack care from diagnosis through treatment and recovery.
A heart attack, which is also called a myocardial infarction, is a life-threatening condition that occurs when blood flow through one or more of the arteries leading to your heart is blocked. Blockages inside your arteries are most often caused by a buildup of a cholesterol-containing substance called plaque.
When blood flow to your heart is interrupted, parts of your heart muscle can be damaged or destroyed. This damage can lead to other heart problems, including:
If you experience heart attack symptoms, call 911 immediately and ask to be taken to one of UPMC in central Pa.'s hospitals with 24/7 heart catheterization services:
Heart attack symptoms vary from person to person. For example, some people may not notice any symptoms at all or have mild warning signs in advance, while others have sudden, severe symptoms. If you have one or more of the following symptoms, you may be experiencing a heart attack:
If you have had a previous heart attack or have been diagnosed with coronary artery disease, you are at a higher risk of experiencing a heart attack. Other risk factors include:
Concerned about your risk for heart attack or coronary artery disease? Ask your doctor if a Coronary Calcium Screening is right for you.
Our doctors, nurses and technicians are specially trained to work as a team for quick evaluation and treatment of patients who have symptoms of a heart attack.
If your health care providers think you may be having a heart attack, they will initiate a special UPMC central Pa. heart attack protocol called Code STEMI and immediately give you an electrocardiogram (ECG) to confirm the diagnosis of a heart attack. Other diagnostic tests that can confirm a heart attack include:
If you are having a heart attack, your health care providers will take you to our Cardiac Catheterization Lab for treatment as quickly as possible.
Our team will perform cardiac catheterization and angioplasty, during which a balloon-tipped catheter is guided through an artery in your groin to the blocked artery in your heart. When the catheter is in place, your doctor will inflate the balloon to remove the blockage and restore normal blood flow. Your doctor also may place a small wire mesh tube called a stent in your artery to help it stay open.
The national goal set by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association is to have 90 minutes or less pass from the first medical contact with the patient until the artery is open. All UPMC central Pa. hospitals constantly refine heart attack patient care, improving processes to help save heart muscle.
Preventing heart disease and chronic conditions can reduce your risk of having a heart attack. Eating a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, exercising and maintaining a healthy weight are a great start. You also should control your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, avoid smoking and limit alcoholic beverages.
Cumberland/Dauphin/Franklin/Lebanon/Perry Counties: 717-731-0101
Hanover: 717-637-1738
York: 717-849-5576
Lancaster County: 717-299-5000
If you experience heart attack symptoms, call 911 immediately and ask to be taken to one of UPMC hospitals in Central Pa. listed below.
UPMC Harrisburg
111 South Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: 717-782-3131
UPMC Hanover
300 Highland Avenue
Hanover, PA 17331
Phone: 717-316-3711 or 800-673-2426
UPMC Lititz
1500 Highlands Drive
Lititz, PA 17543
Phone: 717-625-5000
UPMC Memorial
1701 Innovation Drive
York, PA 17408
Phone: 800-436-4326
UPMC West Shore
1995 Technology Parkway
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
Phone: 717-791-2600
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