Welcome to Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital

Cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and stroke, continues to be the leading cause of death in the U.S. Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital (SGCMH) is launching an extensive public awareness campaign on the warning signs of heart attack and stroke, and the importance of calling 911 for early intervention.

Sharon Grass, RN, CS, FNP at SGCMH says the hospital was fortunate to receive grant money from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to help with the cost of the campaign.

Key components of the grant include: providing all patients who enter the hospital with high blood pressure and high cholesterol educational material that they can review and keep with them as reference; insure that patients, once discharged, have access to medications required to address hypertension or high cholesterol and have follow-up appointments in place; and education to all residents on 911 access for coronary artery disease and stroke.

“Part of our plan is to educate the public on the importance of knowing their numbers,” said Grass. “By that I mean know their blood pressure and cholesterol readings. There are places around town including the hospital, physicians’ offices and the community center where you can readily have your blood pressure checked. And while it takes a little more effort to get your cholesterol checked, (i.e. fasting and lab appointment) it’s well worth the trouble as these numbers can indicate early warning signs.”

Grass explained that when these numbers are known, your healthcare provider can advise on possible lifestyle changes and appropriate use of medications that can greatly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, both of which are underused.

A big push to educate people on the warning signs of a heart attack or stroke will be made in the coming months.

“Some people, for example, write off heart attack warning signs as being indigestion or gallbladder problems,” said Grass. “Patients have told me that the symptoms were so mild, they would have felt foolish running to the ER. I tell them don’t worry about that. It’s important to get it checked out. There will be less side effects if treated early.

Heart Attack Warning Signs:

Some heart attacks are sudden and intense--referred to as the “movie version of a heart attack.” Most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. 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 goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. Although this symptom is less likely in women as they tend to have more shortness of breath, weakness or dizziness

• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. 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. May include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or light-headedness.

Stroke Warning Signs

The warning signs for stroke can be best remembered by using the acronym
FAST.
F - Face numbness or weakness, especially on one side
A - Arm numbness or weakness, especially only on one side of the body
S - Speech slurred or difficulty speaking, understanding or sudden confusion
T - Time to call 911 - especially if accompanied by sudden loss of vision, loss of balance

“All of these symptoms, whether they be related to a heart attack or stroke are warning signs that you should call 911,” urged Grass. “We have seen heart attack and stroke patients recover and return to their active lives because they acted quickly.”

Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital has flyers and posters available for free to place in offices, on refrigerators or anywhere in plain view to remind residents of these warning signs. Call Sharon Grass at 573-883-7650 to receive yours. Click here to download a flyer.