Chest Pain? Here’s When to Call an Ambulance Chest pain isn’t uncommon, and most everyone has experienced it at some point in their lives. Although conditions like heartburn don’t require immediate medical treatment, there are cases when it’s more serious and you need to call an ambulance and get help right away. Here are some tips from Dr. Cochran, our Heart Care Expert, that you can use to know what to look for and when to call for help. Signs to Watch For Unfortunately, people often put off calling an ambulance or heading to the emergency room when they experience chest pain because they believe it’s something
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else, like indigestion or a pulled muscle. “If you’re having a cardiac event, every second counts in saving your heart. Once the damage is done, it’s impossible to repair. It is crucial to restore blood flow to the ischemic heart muscle as soon as possible to avoid a scar,” says Stephanie Cochran, DO, a practicing cardiologist. “It’s always best to err on the side of caution when it comes to chest pain or if your symptoms feel like they could be a cardiac event. That is what we are here for, so please come in to be evaluated as soon as possible.” Here are the symptoms to look for.
Cardiac Event Symptoms It’s well known that chest pain is the most common symptom associated with a heart attack, but it’s not the only one. It can also present in different ways. It may not be localized in your chest and can sometimes feel like it’s coming from your back, left arm, left shoulder, neck, jaw or even a tooth. You may also only feel pain in those other areas without any chest or back pain, but it will likely feel like it’s radiating from your chest or back. Other symptoms to watch for: • Clamminess or sweating • Heart palpitations • Lightheadedness or fainting • Nausea
Stephanie Cochran, DO • Shortness of breath • Vomiting If any of these symptoms come on suddenly, they are a strong indicator that you’re experiencing a cardiac event and you should take them very
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