Heart attack
Cardiac care in Southeast Idaho
We are here to help you recognize heart attack warning signs and treat you when they happen.
With numerous accreditations for our services, our cardiac and emergency care teams at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center (EIRMC) offer you access to high-quality heart attack treatments.
Learn about your heart health
Our free cardiac assessment can help you understand your risk of developing certain heart conditions, as well as diabetes. The results can help you take action if needed.
Our free cardiac assessment can help you understand your risk of developing certain heart conditions, as well as diabetes. The results can help you take action if needed.
Services we offer for heart attacks
At our Accredited Chest Pain Center, our compassionate heart specialists quickly address heart attacks.
Risk factors for a heart attack
A heart attack happens when the heart doesn't get enough blood. During a heart attack, the blood supply that normally nourishes the heart with oxygen is cut off, causing the heart muscle to start dying. As this is such a dangerous and potentially catastrophic event, you should seek immediate medical attention if you show any potential warning signs.
Risk factors to monitor include:
- Excess alcohol consumption
- High cholesterol diet
- Lack of exercise
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Stress
Men are more likely to have heart attacks, and the risk becomes greater with people 65 years old or older. Additional risks can include having a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes.
Heart attack causes
One of the most common causes of heart attacks is plaque buildup in the arteries. Once plaque has built up over time, it prevents blood from getting to the heart. This is called atherosclerosis, which occurs when fats, cholesterol, calcium, proteins and inflammatory cells collect in your arteries. Heart attacks can also be caused by blood clots, torn blood vessels from penetrating vascular trauma or blood vessel spasms.
About our chest pain center
We are designated as an Accredited Chest Pain Center by the American College of Cardiology (ACC). This distinction speaks to our reach as the central cardiac care hospital for Southeast Idaho, Western Wyoming and Southern Montana, demonstrating the commitment of our team to quickly identifying heart attack symptoms and beginning treatment.
Symptoms you may be having a heart attack
Heart attack symptoms can appear individually or in combination but typically quickly make themselves known.
Signs of a heart attack
Some of the warning signs of a heart attack can include:
- Becoming fatigued quicker than normal
- Chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath
- Pain that spreads to the shoulders, neck, jaw or arms
- Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the chest and throat that either lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back
Heart attack symptoms in women
Heart attack symptoms in women may differ from heart attack symptoms in men. Warning signs for women include:
- Atypical stomach, abdominal or right-side chest pain
- Back pain between the shoulder blades
- Nausea or dizziness
- Palpitations, cold sweat or paleness
- Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing
- Unexplained anxiety, weakness or fatigue
- If you are having a potential cardiac episode and require emergency care, call 911 immediately.
Heart attack care at EIRMC
Marc Jewett, an avid bicyclist and outdoor adventurer, had a severe heart attack after a bike ride in Jackson and was airlifted to EIRMC for an emergency cardiac procedure. Days later, he had major heart surgery, and today, he is back to cycling, camping and living his life after being treated at EIRMC.
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