Cardiac Emergencies
Chest pain is the commonest reason people call an ambulance, and the one where minutes count most. An ECG is recorded within minutes of arrival, cardiac markers are tested here rather than sent away, and if an artery needs opening the cath lab is in this building.
- ECG within minutes of arrival
- Cardiac markers tested on site
- Cath lab staffed around the clock
- No transfer for emergency angioplasty
Stay
3 to 5 days typically
Duration
ECG within minutes of arrival
Anaesthesia
Local, for cath lab procedures
About Cardiac Emergencies
Cardiac emergencies cover heart attack, unstable angina, dangerous rhythm disturbances and cardiac arrest. The ECG is the single most useful test and it is done first, because a completely blocked artery shows on it and changes everything about what happens next. Treatment usually begins before the diagnosis is confirmed, since the drugs that help most work best early.
- The ECG comes first because it changes the pathway
- Treatment starts before the diagnosis is confirmed
- A blocked artery goes straight to the cath lab
- Rhythm problems are treated in the resuscitation area
Before you read on
Everything here is general information about cardiac emergencies. Whether it suits you, and how it would be done in your case, is a decision for your doctor after examining you.
Your consultant's instructions always take precedence over anything written on this page.
When is it recommended?
Situations in which a doctor may suggest cardiac emergencies.
- Chest pain or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
- Chest discomfort with sweating, nausea or breathlessness
- Pain spreading to the arm, jaw, neck or upper back
- Palpitations with dizziness or collapse
- Sudden severe breathlessness
- Collapse or cardiac arrest
Procedure details
The usual sequence, from first consultation through to follow-up.
Immediate ECG
An ECG is recorded within minutes of arrival and read straight away, because a blocked artery changes the whole pathway.
First treatment
Aspirin, blood thinners, oxygen where needed and pain relief are given immediately, ahead of the confirmed diagnosis.
Cath lab or ward
A completely blocked artery goes straight to the cath lab. Otherwise you are admitted to coronary care and an angiogram planned.
Monitoring and planning
Continuous cardiac monitoring, medication started, and a plan for stents, surgery or medication made before discharge.
How to prepare
What to sort out before you come in.
- This is an emergency, so there is nothing to prepare
- Call 108 rather than driving yourself
- Chew an aspirin if you have one and are not allergic
- Family should bring your medication list when they can
- Tell staff about any previous stents, bypass or pacemaker
Recovery
What to expect afterwards, and roughly when.
- Expect three to five days in hospital after a heart attack
- Cardiac medication started here must be continued after discharge
- Blood thinners after a stent must not be stopped without asking
- Gentle activity resumes within days, with a graded plan given before discharge
- Follow-up in cardiology is arranged before you leave
Why choose Humayun in a cardiac emergency
In a heart attack the measure that decides the outcome is the time between arriving and the artery being opened.
- ECG and cardiac markers at the bedside rather than sent to a laboratory elsewhere
- A cath lab on site and on call, so primary angioplasty happens here rather than after a transfer
- Coronary care beds on the same floor as the lab
- Cardiology called at the same time as the emergency team rather than afterwards
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