List Of Treatments & Tests Available For Heart Problems

Leading the Way in Heart Care

Wake Forest Baptist cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, nurse specialists and researchers work as a team to address the full scope of heart problems. Working in state-of-the-art facilities, using some of the world’s most sophisticated technology, these experts are on the leading edge of diagnosis, treatment and discovery.

Signs and Symptoms

We know the sign and symptoms you are experiencing concern you and your family. Our staff is committed to seeing you within 48 hours to evaluate the signs and symptoms you have experienced. A physical assessment, blood work, electrocardiogram (EKG) and diagnostic tests can be performed on the day of your visit to the clinic to assist us in determining what is causing your signs and symptoms.

Time to Call 911

Calling 911 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical services (EMS) staff can begin treatment when they reach you. And they are trained to read the electrocardiogram (EKG), provide medical care under the supervision of a physician, and revive someone whose heart has stopped.

The paramedics are in contact with the emergency medicine physician while you are en route to the hospital; therefore the medical team is ready to take care of your problem when you arrive. You’re likelier to get treated faster at the hospital if you arrive by ambulance.

When an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or heart attack occurs, there is a limited amount of time before significant and long-lasting damage is done to the muscle of your heart. If a large area of the heart is injured during the heart attack, full recovery becomes much more difficult.

To obtain the greatest benefits of emergency care, people who think they are having a heart attack should get to the hospital within one hour of the onset of symptoms. The sooner you get to the emergency room, the sooner the appropriate treatment can begin, meaning the lesser the chances of permanent damage.

Sadly, 40% of patients try to drive themselves or have a family member to drive them to the hospital; this practice has had negative effects for patients. Call 911 when you are having chest pain or associated symptoms.