If you or a loved one is experiencing signs and/or symptoms of a heart attack, dial 911 and do not drive yourself to the hospital. Calling 911 will save you critical time in a life-saving emergency. Once an ambulance arrives at your home, the Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) will immediately begin providing the critical and urgent care required to treat your symptoms.

The American Heart Association shares that ambulances are fully equipped to send you or your loved ones’ symptoms, test results, and other information directly to the care team at the emergency room prior to your arrival. EMTs on board are also trained to gather your vital signs, administer oxygen, utilize a defibrillator to shock your heart if needed, perform an EKG, and provide other treatments if conditions worsen. Arriving at the hospital via ambulance will also accelerate your admissions process, so you can be treated immediately upon your arrival to the hospital¹.

When calling for an ambulance, do your best to remain calm and speak clearly. Be prepared to²:
• Provide the name of the person having the emergency and explain the problem and its signs and symptoms
• Share the location information and specific address, if possible
• Tell the dispatcher where the person is located, such as in the back yard or in the downstairs bedroom
• Provide the phone number you’re calling from
• Stay on the phone with the dispatcher in case the dispatcher needs more information

If you choose to drive to the hospital on your own, you will not receive care as quickly as you would by ambulance. You will risk experiencing more severe symptoms while driving that may compromise you and your loved one’s ability to drive safely. You may also be putting yourself or your loved one at risk for further muscle damage, which increases in severity the longer you experience symptoms without proper care.

If you are interested in learning more about signs and symptoms of heart attack, prevention, and co-morbidities, please visit our website at mshealthcarealliance.org or the website for The American Heart Association, www.heart.org.

About the Mississippi Healthcare Alliance

Our mission is to help hospitals, EMS agencies and communities. We have helped them by creating the STEMI System of Care (SOC), Stroke SOC, Cardiac Arrest Collaborative, and most recently, the Sepsis Collaborative, to provide standard care guidelines to reduce mortality, morbidity, and financial strains.

MHCA provides funding for numerous activities to reduce mortality, morbidity, and the financial burden in the State of Mississippi due to cardiovascular disease, stroke, and sepsis.

1. https://www.heart.org/-/media/Data-Import/downloadables/5/3/0/Dont-Drive-Yourself-Bookmark-UCM_463194.pdf. Accessed, March 4, 2024.
2. https://www.mainlinehealth.org/blog/when-to-call-an-ambulance. Accessed, March 4, 2024.