Northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama residents who may be experiencing a heart attack or chest pain can look to Atrium Health Floyd for the highest level of care, and that care begins even before they arrive at the hospital.

The American College of Cardiology has recognized Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center and Atrium Health Floyd Emergency Medical Services for their expertise and commitment in treating patients experiencing chest pain.

The hospital has earned ACC Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI and Resuscitation accreditation. That means it has proven exceptional competency in treating patients with heart attack symptoms. Also, Floyd EMS has earned Emergency Medical Services Partner in Care designation from the ACC. That honor recognizes EMS agencies that partner with accredited chest pain centers.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is also known as coronary angioplasty. It is a non-surgical procedure that opens narrowed or blocked coronary arteries with a balloon to relieve symptoms of heart disease or reduce heart damage during or after a heart attack. The hospital has primary PCI available 24/7 every day of the year.

“We are ready around the clock to provide care for someone who might be having a heart attack," said Lee Clevenger, director of cardiovascular services at Floyd Medical Center. “We are also fortunate to have a top-notch EMS team that we can communicate with even before a patient arrives."

“Our highly trained EMS teams are providing best-practice, pre-hospital cardiac care throughout our service areas, resulting in improved patient outcomes," said Bud Owens, Atrium Health's area vice president of Mobile Medicine and EMS in Georgia and Alabama.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 730,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year. The most common symptom of a heart attack for both men and women is chest pain or discomfort.

However, women are more likely to have atypical symptoms. Other heart attack symptoms include, but are not limited to, tingling or discomfort in one or both arms, back, shoulder, neck or jaw, shortness of breath, cold sweat, unusual tiredness, heartburn-like feeling, nausea or vomiting, sudden dizziness and fainting.

Facilities that achieve accreditation meet or exceed an array of stringent criteria and have organized a team of doctors, nurses, clinicians, and other administrative staff that earnestly support the efforts leading to better patient education and improved patient outcomes.

As required to meet the criteria of the accreditation designation, they comply with standard Chest Pain Center protocols and are equipped with a robust hypothermia program for post-cardiac arrest treatment. These facilities also maintain a no-diversion policy for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients.

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) is the global leader in transforming cardiovascular care and improving heart health for all. As the preeminent source of professional medical education for the entire cardiovascular care team since 1949, ACC credentials cardiovascular professionals in over 140 countries who meet stringent qualifications and leads in the formation of health policy, standards and guidelines.