This information was accurate at the time of publication. The Emergency Department plays an essential role in caring for the urgent health needs of south King County. The department cares for more than 35,000 patients each year including serious injuries as a Level III Trauma Center. Emergency intervention for heart attacks is coordinated with cardiologists. The physicians are known for their success in treating individuals experiencing a heart attack and has been reported to have one of the country's lowest mortality rates for heart attacks.
Time is critical for anyone experiencing the symptoms of a heart attack.
Waiting too long before going to the emergency department may increase the amount of heart damage. Seeking immediate treatment can make a big difference in the quality of life after recovery. Depending on the type and severity of the heart attack, the cardiac team takes patients from the emergency department directly to a catheterization lab to administer treatments to clear blocked arteries and restore blood and oxygen flow to damaged heart tissue. A cardiac team and fully equipped cardiac catheterization suite is available 24 hours a day. Patients are rapidly evaluated and a course of treatment is begun.