Heart Center

When you have symptoms of a heart attack, or any other cardiac event, every second counts. Patients in central Connecticut know that they can count on the Heart Center at MidState for timely, expert cardiac care.

With all board certified cardiologists, state-of-the-art emergency as well as an advanced cardiac and neurological testing suite, the Heart Center at MidState provides the fast, personalized care patients need to ensure the best possible outcome.

Working closely with our Emergency Department physicians, MidState's cardiologists ensure that each patient receives state-of-the-art diagnostic testing and treatment right away. In fact, MidState became one of the first community hospitals in the area to partner with EMS crews to enhance the treatment of heart attack patients. By utilizing advanced technology, ambulance crews are now able to perform diagnostic tests right at the site of the patient, and work with the MidState emergency department team, to make a diagnosis and initiate treatment more quickly.

Should you require a higher level of services not provided by MidState, we will transfer you to a tertiary-care center, such as Hartford Hospital, where you will receive the very best care required by your condition.

Our countless favorable outcomes are proof that our heart is always caring for yours.

Heart Attack Warning Signs

Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, the "movie heart attack" where no one doubts what's happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help.

Here are the signs that can mean you're having a heart attack:

  • 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
    May include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness. As with men, a woman'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.

Act Fast

Learn the signs above, but remember this: Even if you're not sure if you're having a heart attack, have it checked out.

Minutes matter! Fast action can save lives - maybe even your own. So don't wait more than five minutes to call 9-1-1. Calling 9-1-1 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical services staff can begin treatment when they arrive - up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. The staff is also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped.

Not all these signs occur in every heart attack or stroke. Sometimes they go away and return. If some occur, get help fast!

Coronary heart disease is America's No. 1 killer. Stroke is No. 3 and a leading cause of serious disability. That's why it's so important to reduce your risk factors, know the warning signs, and know how to respond quickly and properly if warning signs occur.

Today, heart attack and stroke victims can benefit from new medications and treatments unavailable to patients in years past. For example, clot-busting drugs can stop some heart attacks and strokes in progress, reducing disability and saving lives. But to be effective, these drugs must be given quickly after heart attack or stroke symptoms first appear. So again, don't delay - get help right away!

Act in Time

The American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute have launched a new "Act in Time" campaign to increase people's awareness of heart attack and the importance of calling 9-1-1 immediately at the onset of heart attack symptoms.

    Cardiac arrest strikes immediately and without warning.

Here are the signs that you might be having a cardiac arrest:

  • Sudden loss of responsiveness (no response to tapping on shoulders)
  • No normal breathing (the victim does not take a normal breath when you tilt the head up and check for at least five seconds)
  • If these signs of cardiac arrest are present, tell someone to call 9-1-1 and get an AED (if one is available) and you begin CPR immediately.

Blood Pressure Basics

Blood pressure is the measure of the force of your blood against the walls of your arteries. The top number is called your systolic (sis-tol-ick) pressure, and it measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. Normal systolic pressure is less than 120. Pre-hypertension is 120-139, and hypertension is 140 and up.

The bottom number is your diastolic (die-a-stol-ick) pressure, and it measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart is at rest. Normal diastolic pressure is less than 80. Pre-hypertension is 80-89.

Hypertension is 90 and up.

If high blood pressure is left untreated it can damage your blood vessels, without you knowing or feeling it. The longer high blood pressure is untreated, the greater your risk of damage. Damaged blood vessels can lead to a heart attack, stroke, or kidney disease. High blood pressure can be controlled, by making small changes in daily activities and habits, or with medical therapy.

Tips on how to lower high blood pressure:

  • Quit smoking
  • Lose weight (losing extra pounds is the best way to lower blood pressure)
  • Be active every day
  • Make dietary changes
  • Cut back on salt (use spices, herbs, or lemon to flavor foods)
  • Cut back on alcohol (it is high in calories and raises blood pressure)
  • Take your blood pressure pills as prescribed by your healthcare provider

Any small changes you make will help lower your blood pressure.

Source: Security Health Plan.

Program Features

The Heart Center at MidState provides patients with state-of-the-art emergency treatment advanced cardiac and neurological testing; and the expert care only an experienced cardiac team can provide. From initial diagnosis to inpatient critical care to rehabilitation, the Heart Center offers the personalized care each heart patient needs to achieve the best possible outcome.

Cardiac, Vascular, and Neurological Testing Department

The first step in determining the best course of treatment is, of course, an accurate evaluation of the patient's condition. The Cardiodiagnostic Department at MidState includes a state-of-the-art cardiac, and neurological testing suite. With highly specialized equipment and expertise, our Cardiac Team can perform a total of 15 tests to ensure the most efficient information before, during, and after treatment. The Cardiodiagnostic Department serves patients Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Click on the following links to view information on our testing procedures:

  • Cardiac Tests
  • Neurological Tests

Inpatient Critical Care

Our Critical Care unit is equipped with sophisticated cardiac monitoring capabilities and staffed by experienced professionals, who work with the patient's cardiologist to develop the best treatment plan. As patients improve, our Progressive Care Unit provides wireless monitoring, initial rehabilitation and education for long-term heart health.

  • Balancing Patient Care and Family Support

    The support a patient receives from his or her family can be a critical component in recovery. We understand the importance of being with your loved ones, which is why we make every effort to have open visiting hours. However, in the Critical Care Unit we limit visitors a from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m., or from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. These are the hours that our team transitions care of your loved one between shifts.

  • Choosing a Spokesperson

    We recommend that each family choose a spokesperson to speak for the patient and the family, as well as receive information and reports from the doctors or nurses while visiting. The family spokesperson can then relay all information to other family members. Should we need reach the family spokesperson, please make sure that they leave a telephone number with one of our nurses.

  • Learn more about MidState's Cardiac Rehabilitation program.

If you have any questions, please call us at the MidState Cardiac Rehabilitation and Wellness Program at 203 694 8541, or Email us.