Heart Attack

Learn Heart Attack Symptoms with Texas' Trusted Clinic

We’ve all heard heart-healthy advice and tips for preventing heart attacks. For most of us, heart attacks seem like a far-off problem. However, they’re a very real danger. The American Heart Association estimates every 40 seconds an American has a heart attack. Because this is such a prevalent condition, you want to be sure you have an emergency room you can trust if you’re confronted with the worst. For residents throughout Texas, Exceptional Emergency Center is the go-to for immediate healthcare. Our well-trained staff handles emergency situations on a daily basis with a calm and collected mindset. If you’re looking for the best emergency care in Texas, be sure to keep us on your radar. 

What Is a Heart Attack?

We’ve all heard of heart attacks, but do you know what exactly their entail? In general, heart attacks occur when something blocks the flow of blood to the heart. Fat and cholesterol are the most common culprits, which form a plaque substance that cuts off blood flow throughout the artery.

Stay Alert for These Heart Attack Symptoms

There are numerous signs of a heart attack, and every patient will experience them differently. It’s difficult to say exactly which heart attack symptoms you might face, so it’s crucial to be aware of the most common warning signs. You should get in touch with your healthcare provider right away if you notice any of the following symptoms:

  • Pressure or pain in the middle of your chest that goes away and returns
  • Chest pain on the left side
  • Tightness in the chest
  • Pain that spreads throughout your upper body
  • Cold sweat
  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea or lightheadedness
  • Heartburn or abdominal pain

What to Do During a Heart Attack

If you notice any of the heart attack warning signs, a quick reaction is imperative. At the first sign of trouble, call 911 or your local emergency number. If possible, you can have someone drive you to the nearest Exceptional Emergency Center. However, sometimes you need to wait for emergency medical personnel to arrive. In the meantime, you can take nitroglycerin or aspirin if recommended by your doctor. These medications are known to reduce heart damage and resist blood clots. Be aware that aspirin does not mix well with certain other medications, so it’s best to talk to your doctor beforehand too see if aspirin is a viable option for you.

Do You Have Any of These Risk Factors?

So, how do you avoid having a heart attack in the first place? Prevention is often one of your best defenses, so be sure to read up on the risk factors of a heart attack. Certain people are more predisposed to heart problems, and it’s vital to understand your risk level. Common risk factors include:

  • Tobacco or drug use
  • High blood pressure or high cholesterol
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Metabolic syndrome
  • Preeclampsia
  • Autoimmune conditions
  • History of heart attacks in your family
  • High level of stress
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Age (heart attacks are most common in men older than 45 and women older than 55)

Our Tips for Preventing Heart Attacks

Now that you know the risk factors, you’re better equipped to work toward heart attack prevention. If you’re at risk for a heart attack, your doctor may prescribe specific medications that reduce your risk and improve your heart’s function. Only take medicines you have been prescribed by a healthcare professional and be sure to always use as directed. The team at Exceptional Emergency Center also advises certain lifestyle choices to minimize your risk of heart attack. Keep up with a healthy diet and exercise regimen. It’s also in your best interest to develop stress-relief strategies. When you manage your health, diet, and refrain from smoking, you can greatly reduce your risk of a heart attack in the future.

Call Exceptional Emergency Center Immediately for Heart Attack Treatment

Whether you’re concerned about a future heart attack or you’re feeling pain in the center of your chest right this second, Exceptional Emergency Center is here for you. If you ever notice signs of a heart attack, reach out to our team right away. We take pride in offering some of the best care in the state of Texas, serving the Fort Worth, Livingston, Brownsville, Sachse, Harlingen, Port Arthur, Beaumont, Amarillo, Orange, and Lubbock areas. No matter how insignificant your symptoms may seem, they could signal a more severe, underlying heart problem. Get in touch with our compassionate team or visit us today.

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COVID-19 TESTING UPDATE:

The Exceptional Emergency Room staff and physicians care about you and your loved ones. We are here 24/7 for all your emergency care needs.

  1. If you are experiencing fever, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, weakness, numbness, sensory loss, or any other emergent medical problems, please call 911 or seek medical care immediately at your nearest Emergency Room.
  2. To provide the highest quality emergency medical care to our communities, we are directing all routine COVID testing to outpatient community resources.
  3. Testing through local resources, including your primary care doctor, urgent care, walk-in clinic, or local health department, is appropriate under the following circumstances:
    1. If you have been exposed to a person known to have COVID, and you do not have symptoms, we recommend that you self-quarantine at home and seek testing 4-5 days after exposure. It often takes this long for the infection to be detected by routine lab testing.
    2. If you have no symptoms or very mild symptoms, outpatient testing is also typically appropriate.
    3. Please follow this link for local COVID testing resources.
  4. If you have tested negative, you should still self-quarantine for 14 days from the day of suspected exposure as it can take anywhere from 2-14 days to come down with symptoms of this infection.
  5. Please kindly limit your phone time with our Emergency Rooms as the phone lines are needed to communicate with other health care entities and to provide patients their test results. Thank you for your understanding during this trying time.