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Cardiac outpatient unit > how the unit works > chest pain statistics > attention sufferers > heart attack symptoms > heart attack risk factors

Most people know that one of the primary symptoms of heart attack is chest pain, and that if they experience it, they should call 911 and get to the nearest emergency room. However, the very idea of spending long hours (historically, 24-48 hours), just to have tests run, is enough to keep some people from seeking the attention they need.

At Sacred Heart Medical Center's Cardiac Outpatient Unit, the diagnosis is made quickly. In 12 hours or less, patients who come to the Emergency Department with chest pain can go home with the confidence that they are not experiencing a heart attack. Or, they can be placed on a fast pathway to treatment for better long-term outcomes.

The COU (like other "rapid testing centers") not only decreases the amount of time spent in evaluation, but also the chance for misdiagnoses and unnecessary hospitalizations. These things help people feel much more comfortable about seeking treatment, and that is a critical factor in improving outcomes.

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