Winter 2023 5 Lifesaving care for heart attacks Treating severe heart attacks with speed and skill Timely treatment is often the key to surviving a heart attack and making a recovery. That’s what you’ll find nearby at Texas Health Hospital Mansfield. Texas Health Mansfield has a 24/7 cardiac catheterization (cath) lab and a team capable of treating even the most severe heart attacks, known as STEMIs (ST-elevated myocardial infarctions). During this type of heart attack, a coronary artery is completely blocked. The longer the heart muscle goes without blood, the greater the risk of lasting heart damage and disability. Heart attack patients who arrive in the emergency room are quickly taken to the cath lab for treatment. Specialists there use equipment such as balloon-tipped catheters to locate and open blocked arteries in the heart. “We aim to treat heart attacks as quickly as possible to help our patients survive and make a full recovery,” says Chief Medical Officer Ronny Ford, M.D. “Our team is focused on delivering exceptional healthcare to our patients with the utmost compassion.” A partnership to feed our community Volunteers distribute food, whole-person care Texas Health Mansfield’s commitment to whole-person care extends to those in our community, says Director of Chaplain Services Desmond Haye, M.P.H., M.Div., BCC. One example of how this commitment was recently put into practice was through a local partnership. Team members distributed nutritious food and helpful services to families in the community. For the second year, Texas Health Mansfield teamed up with Mansfield Mission Center to sponsor a mobile food market in a local neighborhood for those facing food insecurity. Every Saturday during July, team members volunteered to serve families and individuals healthy food items. They also helped provide: ● A1C blood sugar tests, blood pressure checks and other screenings ● Health information for those who needed followup treatment ● Spiritual support to anyone who wanted to talk with a chaplain “Anyone in need could come and access these free services,” Desmond says. “For those individuals who weren’t able to come out, we took the food to them. We went from door to door.” Hospital leaders are intentional about giving back through a work culture that makes it easy to volunteer. “Our mission of extending the healing ministry of Christ and our commitment to whole-person care for every person drives everything we do,” Desmond says. Act quickly Heart attack warning signs may include: ● Chest discomfort ● Arm, shoulder, neck, jaw or back pain ● Shortness of breath If you suspect you’re having a heart attack, call 911 right away.
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