Treatments: Chest Pain/Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) Center
Located in the Long Beach Memorial Medical Center Emergency Department, the Chest Pain/Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) Center provides highly trained cardiac nurses to treat patients with chest pain as soon as they arrive. We have 24-hours-a-day availability from our cardiologists and four in-house cardiac catheterization laboratories to provide immediate treatment and facilitate patient care.

Our quick action produces results: The Chest Pain Center in the Long Beach Memorial Emergency Department has been ranked among the top three percent in the nation for heart attack survival. Patients with heart attacks are taken to the cardiac catheterization laboratory within 90 minutes for treatments to re-establish blood flow in blocked cardiac vessel. Rapid treatment minimizes cardiac damage and ensures the best possible outcome.

An ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) is a form of heart attack. It is important that those who experience a STEMI be treated within 90 minutes of the first onset of symptoms. Long Beach Memorial Medical Center is the first STEMI receiving center in the city of Long Beach to be accredited by Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services. Los Angeles County residents with chest pain who call 9-1-1 will automatically be directed to a STEMI center, where cardiac expertise and facilities are ready 24-hours-a-day, seven days-a-week. The Chest Pain Center and STEMI receiving center work in conjunction with the Memorial Heart and Vascular Institute at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center to provide the best cardiac care available.

If you think you may be experiencing a heart attack, it is important to call 9-1-1 right away so that treatment can start as soon as possible. Possible symptoms of a heart attack may include:

• Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Shortness of breath. May occur with or without chest discomfort.
• Other signs: These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness

As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.

If you or someone you're with has chest discomfort, especially with one or more of the other signs, call 9-1-1 right away.

At Memorial Heart & Vascular Institute, our physicians, surgeons and staff are here to help you regain control of your cardiovascular health.