Southeast Missouri Hospital wants to remind you that in cases of chest pain, time is truly of the essence -- which is why we have the area's only accredited chest pain center.

Here, special teams of critical care nurses, ER technicians and cardiologists quickly diagnose and manage a person's condition.

Thanks to providen protocol, patients get just the help they need during the critical early stages when treatments are most effective.

Click here to learn more about our Chest Pain Center accreditation

What are the symptoms of a heart attack?

CHEST DISCOMFORT
Pressure, heaviness or pain in the chest, arm or below the breastbone

DISCOMFORT IN THE UPPER BODY
Radiating through one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach

SHORTNESS OF BREATH
Extreme weakness, anxiety or trouble breathing

OTHER SIGNS
Includes sweating, nausea, vomiting, dizziness or irregular heartbeat

IF YOU EXPERIENCE CHEST PAIN, DON'T WAIT. CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY.

Source: American Heart Association

Click here for a printer-friendly PDF of Heart Attack Symptoms

It's important to act quickly with the symptoms of a heart attack strike. Did you know that Heart attacks are the leading cause of adult deaths in the U.S., with 600,000 people dying annually?

More than five million Americans visit hospitals each year with chest pain. Make sure to chose an accredited Chest Pain Center. And don't forget: Early treatment is your best defense against a heart attack.