"Here's how we're going to win this war--with an army of early Heart Attack Caregivers."

The "Early Heart Attack Care" movement is growing around the nation and the world. Early Chest Pain Emergency Centers have formed in hospitals around the United States to provide convenient, "user-friendly" places for people to get potential symptoms check out and attended to. The message of Early Heart Attack Care is also being taught in high schools and community colleges, in CPR and first aid courses, and in the training programs of paramedics, firemen, policemen and teachers.

But that's just the beginning. All of us can deliver this life-saving message to our families, friends and coworkers.

How can I spread the word about early heart attack?

• Study and remember the symptoms listed in this booklet. Make it a point to tell others.

• Photocopy, fill-out and post the information chart and Caregivers Oath in the center of this booklet. Make extra copies to give to others.

• Call your local hospitals to find out is there is a Chest Pain Emergency Center in your area. If there is one, tell others. If not, [Dr. Bahr: Is there anything a private citizen can do to urge the establishment of a local Chest Pain Emergency Center, such as write to the local hospitals or medical board?]

• Promote educational programs about Early Heart Attack Care in your community. Invite a speaker to your service club, church/synagogue, or other community group. Or support an educational program in your local high school. For a list of speakers and educational resources that you can use in your community, contact Dr. Raymond D. Bahr at the phone number and address in the back of this booklet.

  What else can I do to help myself and others?

• When you have time, practice driving to the nearest emergency room or Chest Pain Emergency Center from your home and workplace. Remember to spot the entrance you would use in an emergency.

• Listen to your body. If you know what feels "normal" to you, you are more likely to spot when something is not quite right and needs to be checked out.

• See your doctor regularly and make sure to ask how you can reduce your risk of heart disease. If your doctor has advised you to make changes--such as quitting smoking, getting more exercise, or improving your diet--take that advice "to heart."

  "It's important to appreciate the true value of a heart. The heart is meant to last 100 years. And if you had to buy a heart off the shelf, it would cost, $150,000--that's what a transplant costs. If a used heart costs that much money, what would a new heart cost? If you owned a possession that valuable, you would take good care of it. If you had a good car, and there was a small noise in the engine, you would take it in early to prevent a major problem. That is what we're saying about early heart attack care--to intervene when symptoms are mild to prevent death and damage from taking place." Don't take this precious give (life) for granted."

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  Physicians in the Coronary Care Unit have this kind of conversation with patients all the time. Healthcare professionals now realize that it is vital for people showing symptoms of early heart attack to get medical attention as soon as possible to prevent death and heart damage. But the public still needs to get the message!

  

  Physician:	When did this chest discomfort start?
  Patient:	Several days ago. it started as a mild ache or pressure in the middle of the chest that would go away if I rested, but reoccur and last longer with activity.
  Physician:	When did it get worse?
  Patient:	The discomfort would come and go throughout the night, but at 6:00 a.m. it started to get stronger and didn't go away. When I came to the Emergency Department I was given nitro-glycerin and this seemed to relieve the pressure.
  Physician:	Why didn't you come in earlier?
  Patient:	I really wasn't in pain! I didn't think it was bad enough to go to the Emergency Department. I was busy and had things to do and hoped it would go away. HEREIN LIES THE PROBLEM.
  Physician:	How did you get here? What happened?
  Patient:	My friend Joe stayed with me and finally persuaded me to get it checked out. Thank God I came in early! HEREIN LIES THE SOLUTION.

  "When I was a pharmacist, one day I was out taking care of people in the store when the local tailor came in. He started telling me about symptoms, stuttering symptoms that would occur off and on, and I knew it was somewhat serious or meaningful at that time. I tried to tell him to get to the hospital or get to the doctor, but the store got busy and Jack the tailor went on his way. Well, to make a long story short, three hours later he was found dead ... And I can tell you when I talk to groups, there's not a person in the audience who hasn't come into contact with [a situation like that] when they could have intervened."

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  Introduction | Know the Warnings | Three Ways To Be a Heart Saver
  Heart Attacks Have Beginnings
  Be Persistent | Spread the Word

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