Emergency Services at Norton King's Daughers' Health in Madison
The Emergency Department at Norton King's Daughters' Health in Madison cares for over 15,000 patients each year. Despite those numbers, our goal is to treat each patient as a unique individual.
Reviewed 7/20/2022
Heart attack symptoms
Heart attacks can be sudden and intense. But they can also develop and start out as mild pain or discomfort. Not everyone has typical heart attack symptoms. So it's important to learn all the ways a heart attack might make you feel—and to call 911 right away if you suspect a heart attack. Fast action could save your life or someone else's.
CHEST DISCOMFORT
Chest discomfort is the most common heart attack symptom in men and women. It may feel like pressure, squeezing, fullness, pain, or like heartburn or indigestion. It usually lasts more than a few minutes. It may go away and then come back. The feeling may be severe, or it may be mild.
UPPER BODY DISCOMFORT
Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, a shoulder, the neck, the jaw or the stomach (above the belly button) can signal a heart attack. Women are somewhat more likely than men to experience back or jaw pain during a heart attack.
SWEATING
A heart attack can cause cold sweats.
NAUSEA OR VOMITING
Women are more likely than men to experience unexplained nausea or vomiting during a heart attack.
SHORTNESS OF BREATH
Shortness of breath can come on suddenly and can happen while you're resting. It may be your only heart attack symptom. Women are more likely to experience shortness of breath during a heart attack than men are.
LIGHT-HEADEDNESS OR DIZZINESS
When you're having a heart attack, you might suddenly feel dizzy or light-headed.
FATIGUE
Feeling unusually tired for no reason can be a symptom of a heart attack. Sometimes this fatigue lasts for days. Women are more likely than men to experience fatigue as a heart attack symptom.
Being aware of the symptoms of a heart attack is important. So is knowing about the things that put you at risk.
LEARN YOUR HEART ATTACK RISK FACTORS
Sources: American Heart Association; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Sources
- American Heart Association. "Heart Attack Symptoms in Women." https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/warning-signs-of-a-heart-attack/heart-attack-symptoms-in-women.
- American Heart Association. "Warning Signs of a Heart Attack." https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/warning-signs-of-a-heart-attack.
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. "What is a Heart Attack?" https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/heart-attack.
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. "What is Coronary Heart Disease?" https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/coronary-heart-disease.
- Office on Women's Health. "Heart Attack and Women." https://www.womenshealth.gov/heart-disease-and-stroke/heart-disease/heart-attack-and-women.
- Office on Women's Health. "Make the Call." https://www.womenshealth.gov/heart-attack.
Medical emergencies require a quick response and a highly trained staff. King's Daughters' provides emergency care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,accessing advanced diagnostic tests, high-resolution imagery, and a fully staffed laboratory. If needed in certain critical, life-saving situations, helicopter transport is available from our campus.
When to seek Emergency Room Care
When you facing a life-threatening medical emergency or a condition that could result in permanent disability, ER care is appropriate. Below are symptoms/situations that would prompt an ER visit:
- Allergic reaction where it's hard to breathe
- Heart attack
- Heavy bleeding
- Loss of consciousness
- Poisoning or suspected poisoning
- Seizures
- Severe abdominal pain
- Severe burns
- Severe chest pain or sudden/extreme difficulty breathing
- Severe head trauma
- Stroke, sudden paralysis or slurred speech
- Visibly broken bones
In non-emergency situations, you may receive more prompt and cost-efficient care by visiting your primary care provider or our Convenient Care Center.
When to see your Primary Care Provider or Convenient Care
- Abdominal pain or stomach aches
- Allergic reactions without breathing issues
- Common cold or flu symptoms
- Cuts, scrapes, bites
- Earaches
- Fractures
- Headaches
- Minor burns
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Sports physicals
- Sprains or strains
- Strep or sore throat
- Upper respiratory infections
- Urinary tract infections
Unless you have a high fever or your condition worsens to become a medical emergency, your primary care provider or the Convenient Care Center can provide effective, cost-efficient care.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) offers a three-tiered response system to provide both basic and advanced life support. Each ambulance is staffed with a team of EMS professionals, all of whom are certified by the state of Indiana. A paramedic also responds to calls needing additional support.
EMS team members at Norton King's Daughters' Health are experienced in on-site rescue, providing the critical first link to medical care. EMTs stay in constant communication with physicians in the Emergency Department.
During special events, we provide an EMS Bike Team, allowing EMTs to reach the scene much faster, as large crowds often slow the arrival of an ambulance.