Ron Helton, Heart Attack Survivor
Ron Helton Commercial
Shasta Regional Medical Center Emergency Department is ready 24-7 with specially trained staff to handle rapid diagnosis and fast track care during the critical early stages of a heart attack when treatments are most effective.
Shasta Regional Medical Center is proud to be the only hospital in the North State to earn National recognition as an Accredited Chest Pain Center. But the true honor resides in providing our community with the team, knowledge and dedication to fight America’s #1 killer, heart disease.
Our Cardiac program brings together board certified Cardiologists, Cardiac and Vascular Surgeons, Interventional Radiologists and others, tackling Heart and Vascular Disease. From prevention and diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation, our staff is committed to combining the latest proven technology with personal care and attention to help you get better.
Cardiac diagnostic testing is a very important tool for detecting heart disease. Our Cardiac Catheterization Lab is available 24/7 and features technologically advanced equipment and therapies for blocked arteries, aneurysms, and clots, as well as procedures in treating heart rhythm disorders, implantable cardiac defibrillators and pacemakers. The Cardiac Echo Lab is staffed by certified Echo technologists and the Vascular Ultrasound Lab is staffed by registered vascular technologists. Our staff includes top cardiologists and cardiac and vascular surgeons as well as highly trained cardiac care nurses and techs. Together they offer innovative treatments, advanced technology and comprehensive prevention programs – making Shasta Regional the area’s premier destination for cardiovascular care.
Cardiovascular Specialists
There are several types of specialists that perform multidisciplinary Vascular Procedures. They include: cardiothoracic surgeons, interventional cardiologists, interventional radiologists and vascular surgeons. Often, your primary care physician or referring physicians will tell you which type of specialist you will need to see.
Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgery
Cardiothoracic surgery is the field of medicine involved in surgical treatment of diseases affecting the heart and lungs and arteries leading to them. The vascular procedures the cardiothoracic surgeons at Shasta Regional Medical Center perform are listed below. Please note that each case is unique, and the treatments listed here are for general understanding purposes only. Your surgeon will provide details on your specific surgical needs.
Vascular surgery is a specialty of surgery that treats diseases of the vascular system by medical therapy, minimally-invasive catheter procedures and surgical reconstruction. Vascular procedures are performed in the operating room and use general anesthesia. They may be minimally-invasive, using a smaller incision, or may be an open surgery with a larger incision.
Interventional Cardiologists
Interventional cardiology is a branch of the medical specialty of cardiology that deals specifically with the catheter-based treatment of heart diseases. Interventional cardiologists may perform treatments for peripheral vascular disease, carotid artery disease and abdominal aortic aneurysms in the cardiac catheterization lab. This is considered a type of endovascular procedure. See endovascular treatment below.
Interventional Radiologists
Interventional radiology is the practice of medicine in which physicians treat disease with image-guided, minimally invasive techniques. These procedures are usually performed under local anesthesia and conscious sedation using some form of guided imaging in the cardiac catheterization lab. They are also considered endovascular procedures.
What is an endovascular procedure?
Endovascular procedures are less invasive procedures than regular surgery and are designed to access many regions of the body via major blood vessels. Basic techniques involve the introduction of a catheter percutaneously (through the skin), into a large blood vessel. Typically the blood vessel entered is femoral artery or vein found near the groin. A balloon, stent (mesh tube) or coil may be inserted through the catheter to maintain the shape of an artery that was previously losing shape or blocked. Additionally, new devices are being used that may grind through blockages in the arteries, restoring blood flow. These procedures are usually performed by an interventional cardiologist or radiologist in the cardiac catheterization lab. Good candidates for endovascular procedures may be older and have multiple health concerns.
Cardiac Surgery
Shasta Regional Medical Center is proud to have on staff, Dr. Doug McConnell a Board Certified Cardiac-Thoracic Surgeon and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. McConnell comes from Long Beach Memorial where he was on staff from 1981- 2009. During this time he has served as Department Chairman, Vice-Chief of Staff and as Chief of Staff.
Our Cardiac Surgical Team is well-trained and experienced in all aspects of cardiac and thoracic surgery. A broad range of cardiac surgical services is available 24 hours a day. Our cardiac surgery teams include not only experienced surgeons, but also highly trained clinical and other staff — all focused on providing excellent patient care and outcomes.
Coronary artery bypass grafting
Valve repair and replacement
Aorta repair
Thoracic procedures
Vascular procedures
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Cardiac Rehab
Our Cardiac Rehabilitation Program has been serving the North State for more than 29 years! Our highly trained and dedicated staff teaches patients how to modify the risk factors for coronary disease through education and a supervised exercise program, helping patients to return to a productive and satisfying lifestyle. If you think you could benefit from our outpatient rehabilitation program, ask your physician for a referral, or call our Cardiac Rehabilitation Center at 530-244-5105 and we will be glad to contact your doctor for you.
Women’s Heart Center
The goal of the Women’s Heart Center is to focus on women’s heart health issues through education, prevention information, and early diagnosis of heart disease. This program has been developed to benefit the health needs specific to women. The Women’s Heart Center offers one hour initial visit and a comprehensive Heart Risk
Assessment to include:
- Lipid Profile (includes total cholesterol, H DL, triglycerides and glucose
- Cardiac Risk Profile
- 50 minute consultation with a cardiac RN on nutrition and exercise
- 12-lead electrocardiogram
- Blood pressure and heart rate
- Body Mass Index (BMI)
- Ankle Brachial Index (ABI)
Call 530-244-5433 for your Comprehensive Cardiac Risk Assessment appointment. The cost is $45.
Heart Attack Symptoms and Warning Signs
High Blood Pressure
Courtesy of the American Heart Association
If you think you're having a heart attack, call 9-1-1 or your emergency medical system immediately.
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense — the "movie heart attack," where no one doubts what's happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:
· Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
· Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
· Shortness of breath. May occur with or without chest discomfort.
· Other signs: These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness
As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.
If you or someone you're with has chest discomfort, especially with one or more of the other signs, don't wait longer than a few minutes (no more than 5) before calling for help. Call 9-1-1 or your emergency response number... Get to a hospital right away.
Calling 9-1-1 or your emergency response number is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical services staff can begin treatment when they arrive — up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. The staff also is trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped.
You'll also get treated faster in the hospital if you come by ambulance.
Admitting 244-5335
Diabetes Care Management 244-5455
Emergency Room 244-5353
Medical/Surgical 244-8263
Ortho/Neuro 244-5430
Telemetry 244-5441
Wound Care Center 229-2954