Heart Attack Care

A certain heart attack called a STEMI (Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction) occurs when there's a blocked blood vessel. As a result, all of the heart muscle areas being supplied by the blocked artery start to die. Quick treatment for STEMIs is essential. When STEMI patients arrive at our emergency room, our highly trained BJC HealthCare cardiac team will oversee interventional procedures in our state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization lab, which may include the placement of a stent to open blocked arteries. 

Heart attacks may occur suddenly and with intensity, but they often start slowly with mild pain or discomfort. Although they are called heart attacks, many symptoms can affect other parts of the body. It’s important to know the common warning signs for a heart attack and talk to your doctor about any symptoms that concern you. 

Common warning signs of heart attacks in men: 

• Mild chest discomfort
• Neck/jaw or throat discomfort, pressure
• Arm/shoulder discomfort, pressure
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea
• Unusual fatigue
• Sweating
• Heartburn

Common warning signs of heart attacks in women: 

• Shortness of breath
• Nausea, vomiting
• Mid-chest discomfort or pressure
• Neck/jaw or throat pressure or discomfort
• Abdominal/mid-back discomfort or pressure
• Dizziness
• Sweating
• Left side pain
• Sense of impending doom
• Heartburn

Heart Attack Risk Assessment

There are several risk factors that are controllable and may help prevent a heart attack. Blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels can provide insight into your risk of heart disease and heart attacks.

To help guide you, Barnes-Jewish St. Peters and Progress West Hospitals provide heart risk assessments.