Fast heart attack care from an expert team
A heart attack happens when blood flow to your heart is blocked or significantly reduced. This is caused by a buildup of plaque (cholesterol, fat and other substances) inside the arteries that supply blood to your heart. It’s a medical emergency that needs immediate attention.
At the Heart & Vascular Institute at Portsmouth Regional Hospital, we’re known for our heart attack treatment expertise. Our skilled Chest Pain Center team can restore blood flow to your heart within 90 minutes — a standard set by the American Heart Association. The faster we remove the blockage, the less damage to your heart. Our advanced heart attack treatment capability has earned us Chest Pain Center accreditation by the American College of Cardiology.
Our team works closely with local emergency medical services from the moment you call 911. This allows us to jump into action the moment you come to the emergency department. We use sophisticated imaging equipment to discover a heart attack quickly and ensure you get immediate care.
Our heart specialists use minimally invasive percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), also known as coronary angioplasty, to restore blood flow to the heart quickly. This lifesaving procedure can stop a heart attack in its tracks. Our surgeons have the expertise to perform even the most complex heart procedures — and we’re the only facility on the Seacoast that performs open-heart surgery.
It’s comforting to know you can get complete heart attack care — fast diagnosis, expert treatment and cardiac rehabilitation — in a single place, close to home.
What are heart attack symptoms?
Some heart attacks come on quickly and intensely, but others may happen more slowly with mild symptoms. Don’t wait to ask for help if you notice any of these heart attack warning signs, call 911 right away:
- Chest pain discomfort or pressure that may feel like squeezing
- Discomfort or pain in your jaw, neck, back, stomach, or one or both arms
- Shortness of breath, with or without chest pain
Other heart attack symptoms can include sweating, dizziness or nausea. It’s important to know that heart attack symptoms can be different in older adults, people with diabetes and women. Some people may experience other symptoms such as indigestion and fatigue.
Women’s heart attack symptoms
Women may have different heart attack symptoms than men. They may feel more chest pressure or discomfort than sudden, intense chest pain. They may also experience upper back pressure or feel squeezing around their chest. Other symptoms can include lightheadedness, fainting, vomiting, or unexplained weakness or tiredness.
Heart attack symptoms can be subtle, so women often wait longer to call for help, causing more heart damage. That’s why it’s so important to be aware of all heart attack symptoms to make sure you get the care you need right away.
Complete cardiac care
We’re recognized for our exceptional heart attack treatment, but we're also here to help you prevent heart disease and heart attacks. Our heart care team offers personalized care to lower your heart disease risk. Our cardiologists work with dietitians, exercise physiologists and other specialists to help you stay healthy. Whether you need treatment for high blood pressure, help losing weight, or support to stop smoking, we’re here for you.
Accredited Chest Pain Center with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
The American College of Cardiology recognizes our commitment to fast effective cardiac care with this accreditation.
