Medical City Healthcare | Take Care | Fall 2019

Starting the chain of care 911: ONE MORNING AFTER A RUN, Philip Smith told his wife, Megan, that he didn’t feel well. The healthy and fit 39-year-old marathon runner from Frisco went upstairs to lie down, noting that the uncomfortable feeling in his chest was getting worse. When cold sweats, nausea and numbness in his hands followed, Megan called 911. Her call started a process that very likely saved Philip’s life. Philip was having a massive heart attack, with 100% blockage of his left front artery—known as the widow-maker. Frisco Fire Department first responders transmitted Philip’s EKG directly to Medical City Frisco and called the hospital to give additional details. This alerted the cardiac cath lab staff and allowed them to be ready and waiting for Philip when he arrived in the ambulance. “The sooner you call 911, the sooner EMS arrives and it starts the chain of care—the more likely you’ll survive,” said Marc Krock, MD, the interventional cardiologist who treated Philip. “This case is the perfect example of identifying the signs of a heart attack.” When to call 911 It’s not always obvious when an injury or illness is life-threatening, but here are some clues that you might need to call 911. For example, if you’re having: > > The worst headache of your life. It could be a migraine, but it could also be a stroke. With many overlapping symptoms, it can be hard to tell. > > Unexplained chest pain. It could be heartburn, but it could also be a heart attack. These two GOOD CALL. Watch Philip and Megan Smith tell their story and take the free Heart Risk Assessment at MedicalCityHealthcare.com/TakeCare . Heart & vascular 4