Emergency Care

If you're having a heart attack or other heart-related emergency, you need expert care – and you need it fast. The Heart Emergency Center at the Arizona Heart Hospital offers quality emergency care for heart-related emergencies. We make this pledge because we are an entire hospital dedicated to fighting heart and blood vessel disease. Our emergency room is staffed by board-certified emergency physicians and a highly skilled staff, all with a special focus on providing the very best emergency heart care possible. Our full service emergency room can also treat other medical emergencies. No matter what you need, in an emergency, we're here for you.

Experienced Care
The Heart Emergency Center staff is made up of nationally recognized, board-certified and residency-trained doctors and specialists who are
immediately available at all times. Our qualified team includes renowned cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, electrophysiologists, neurologists and nurses who are certified in advanced cardiac life support and emergency nursing. Our team is unmatched in recognizing and treating heart emergencies.

Specialized Care
The Heart Emergency Center at the Arizona Heart Hospital offers advanced treatment for all heart-related emergencies, including:

• heart attack,
• chest pain,
• stroke,
• dysrhythmia (irregular heartbeat),
• aneurysm (weakened and bulged area of a blood vessel),
• high blood pressure,
• vascular problems (narrowing of blood vessels that carry blood to the leg and arm, acute pulmonary distress.

Our experienced staff is specially trained to respond to cardiovascular
medical emergencies. And, because of our emphasis on research, we offer unique
treatment options.

Warning Signs of a Heart Attack
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Would you know if you were having a heart attack? Knowing the warning signs of a heart attack, and recognizing them quickly, could save your life. If you experience any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 right away.

• Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing or pain in the chest lasting longer than two minutes.
• Pain spreading to the shoulders, neck, jaw, arms or back.
• Dizziness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath.

Any of these symptoms could mean you're having a heart attack. Don't deny or ignore your symptoms, and don't wait! Call 9-1-1 immediately. It could be the difference between life and death.

Warning Signs of a Stroke
Stroke, or brain attack, is the third most common cause of death in the United States. More than half a million people suffer a stroke every year. Of these, more than 150,000 will die. Stroke is also the leading cause of adult disability in the U.S., resulting in devastating and debilitating recovery periods.

Stroke occurs when a blood clot or burst artery interrupts blood flow to an area of the brain. Brain cells require blood, oxygen and nutrients, or they die. The functions controlled by these dead cells are permanently damaged or lost altogether. Because the death of brain cells occurs quickly during a stroke, every second counts when stroke occurs.

Call 9-1-1 immediately if you experience even one of the following symptoms.

• Numbness, weakness or paralysis, especially on one side.
• Slurred speech or difficulty speaking.
• Sudden blurred or decreased vision, especially in one eye.
• Dizziness or loss of balance.
• Sudden, severe headache.

Not every person has all the signs of stroke, so if you see any of them, act quickly! In some cases, early recognition and treatment can reverse the effects of stroke.

Compassionate Care
At the Arizona Heart Hospital's Heart Emergency Center, we respect the role your family plays in the recovery process. We will do everything we can to keep them informed of your progress during your treatment. Our pledge is to provide you with prompt, expert, courteous service that is patient-focused.

There is no hospital like ours in Arizona. You'll see the difference in everything we do. It is our privilege to care for you.

Lower Your Risk Of Heart Disease
Cardiovascular risk factors are conditions that increase the chance that you will develop heart disease. The three greatest risk factors for heart disease that you can control are:

• Cigarette smoking
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure

Other risk factors can also be managed. These may include:

• Obesity
• Lack of exercise
• Diabetes
• Stress

A few risk factors are beyond your control, such as:

• Age
• Gender
• Family history of heart disease
• Race

Knowing more about what causes heart disease can help you reduce your risk and protect your health. A low-fat diet, ideal weight, regular exercise, no smoking and regular medical checkups can put you on the road to good health. To learn more about preventing heart disease, call the Arizona Heart Hospital at 602-532-1000.

Discover why we're like no other hospital you've ever seen.