News

Contact: Nicole Bollman

STERLING, IL (July 25, 2018) — Heart Attack? Chest Pain? Time is of the Essence. If you think you might be having a heart attack, seek treatment immediately. Call 9-1-1.

Too many patients wait because they don’t want to alarm their loved ones or are concerned about incurring unnecessary bills. Whatever the reason, the average patient arrives in the Emergency Department more than two hours after the onset of symptoms. The faster a heart attack is treated the less damage to the heart and the better the outcome of their treatment.

CGH Medical Center is dedicated to providing our patients with the best heart care treatment available. As an Accredited Chest Pain Facility, we use the newest methods and best practices in heart care to ensure that our patients receive:

• Right care at the right time to minimize or eliminate heart damage due to heart attack
• Timely and accurate diagnoses to reduce the disruption to your life and get you home as soon as
  possible
• Help and communication to better understand how to respond to your heart emergencies
• Improved quality of life after a heart episode

The American College of Cardiology has recognized CGH Medical Center for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients with chest pain. CGH Medical Center was awarded Chest Pain Center Accreditation in July based on thorough onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack.

“Our goal was to enhance the care and treatment of chest pain and heart attack patients. Obtaining the CPC accreditation is a validation of those efforts,” said Kristie Geil, Vice President, Patient Care Services and CNO. “Ensuring we provide the highest standard of care to cardiac patients in our community is our number one priority.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 730,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year. The most common symptom of a heart attack for both men and women is chest pain or discomfort. However, women are more likely to have uncommon symptoms. Other heart attack symptoms include, but are not limited to, tingling or discomfort in one or both arms, back, shoulder, neck or jaw, shortness of breath, cold sweat, unusual tiredness, heartburn-like feeling, nausea or vomiting, sudden dizziness and fainting. If you think you might be having a heart attack, seek treatment immediately.

“CGH Medical Center has demonstrated its commitment to providing the Sauk Valley area with excellent heart care,” said Phillip D. Levy, MD, FACC, chair of the ACC Accreditation Management Board. “ACC Accreditation Services is proud to award CGH Medical Center with Chest Pain Center Accreditation.”

-CGH-