David Nice
Skyline Ambulance Director

“Heart Attack!” The very words cause you to develop a mental picture with a certain degree of fear or anxiety. Approximately 1.5 million people experience a heart attack annually, which is commonly the result of a blockage in the blood vessels that supply oxygen to the heart. Fatty deposits within the vessels can cause this blockage. Without adequate oxygen, the heart muscle begins to die.

If the heart has too little oxygen for more than several seconds, severe chest pain will occur. The pain is characteristically crushing – it takes your breath away. Some people experience weakness, nausea, sweating, fainting, or an irregular pulse. A classic sign is denial that anything is wrong or saying that “It’s probably indigestion”. This chest pain is a warning. Do not ignore it!

Actual injury can be prevented or stopped. Skyline Ambulance has paramedics specially trained in “Advanced Cardiac Life Support” available 24 hours a day. It is a simple as dialing 9-1-1. The longer you wait to call for help, the greater the chance of permanent heart muscle damage.

Any exercise, stress or pain increases the heart’s demand for oxygen which is why you should not attempt to get to a doctor on your own. Remember, “Do no further harm”. It is safer to bring the hospital to the patient than to bring the patient to the hospital. When the ambulance team arrives, their main concern will be to increase the oxygen to the heart, reduce or eliminate the pain, and decrease the chance of a life threatening irregular beating of the heart. Each ambulance is equipped with technical equipment and medications to help make you feel better and stabilize your condition. Treatment will begin immediately where you are and continue in route to the hospital.

The results can be positive. When 9-1-1 is called quickly, and a highly skilled ambulance team intervenes, a heart attack victim has the best possible chance to continue with a normal life. Skyline Hospital Ambulance offers the highest standard of care, and we believe in what we do. Our service makes a difference in your life and the lives of your loved ones.