Chest Pain Centers

Know The Warning Signs Of A Heart Attack

It’s estimated that 85% of muscle damage takes place within the first two hours of a heart attack. While some heart attacks are sudden and intense, most start slowly with just mild pain or discomfort. If you or someone else is experiencing any of the below signs of a heart attack, please call 9-1-1 immediately:

• Chest pain or discomfort
• Arm tingling or pain
• Clamminess
• Shortness of breath
• Jaw pain
• Nausea and vomiting

What To Expect

Paramedics notify our Chest Pain Center team when a heart attack patient is on the way. Upon arrival, we will do a rapid assessment, including heart monitoring and a blood test to measure heart muscle damage. We may also do an electrocardiogram, if not already done by the paramedic on the way to the hospital.

If confirmed to be a heart attack, our Chest Pain Center team will perform percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), also known as angioplasty, to open the vessels quickly as quickly as possible and restore blood flow to the heart.

We strive to ensure that our "door-to-balloon" time (from arrival to vessel-opening) averages 60 minutes or less—well below the 90-minute benchmark recommended by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association.

Your Heart Is In Good Hands With Us

Both of our hospitals have earned the highest “Chest Pain Centers with PCI” accreditation from the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care (SCPC) for our excellence in diagnosing, evaluating and treating heart attacks. As the only two hospitals in Contra Costa County with this accreditation, you can feel confident that you’re receiving the best care possible.

Our Locations

Emergency Room at John Muir Medical Center, Concord

Emergency Room at John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek