Cardiologists will be providing a specialised new life saving service for patients who suffer from a particular type of heart attack known as STEMI (ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction).
Cardiac specialists, based at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, Blackpool will be using their expertise to treat heart attack victims from across Lancashire and South Cumbria from Monday 6 June.
The new service will provide primary angioplasty, a high-tech medical intervention known also as Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PPCI), which has only been available to residents of Blackpool and the Fylde coast for the last two years.
But now, due to an agreement between all five of Lancashire’s primary care trusts, all people living in the county will be able to receive it 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Dr Grahame Goode, Lancashire Cardiac Centre Divisional Director, said: “If a resident in Lancashire has a STEMI heart attack confirmed by a paramedic, they will be stabilised and taken directly by blue light ambulance to the specialist Lancashire Cardiac Centre at Blackpool Victoria Hospital for treatment.
“Up to date research and clinical evidence tell us that PPCI is better, and more clinically effective than thrombolysis. PPCI saves lives and patients who have received it will have a better survival rate following a heart attack and there are fewer complications such as strokes and recurring heart attacks.
“Making PPCI available to all residents in Lancashire is a major step forward.’’
PPCI is a state-of-the-art medical technology that clears blockages in the arteries which are stopping blood from flowing to the heart.
When the artery is blocked, typically by a fatty deposit and blood clot, a person will suffer a STEMI heart attack.
Approximately 900 people in Lancashire suffer from, and are treated for, such an attack each year.
Patients from outside Blackpool and the Fylde who suffered from such an attack will previously have been treated by a paramedic or at their local hospital using a clot busting drug known as thrombolysis.
Dr Ranjit More, a Consultant Cardiologist and Clinical Director of the Centre, said: “This is a move that will bring huge benefits to patients who suffer this particular form of cardiac problem.
“The Cardiac Centre is known as a centre of excellent for its work and has been performing this specialist treatment for a couple of years now with great success. This is an exciting time for the centre and its staff.’’
Health chiefs say the recommended national target and safe timetable for treatment in hospital for a STEMI heart attack is within two-and-a-half hours of a call from the ambulance service.
Blackpool Victoria Hospital currently provides one of the largest specialist cardiology services in the North West and already undertakes a high number of specialist cardiac procedures.
Louise Smith, Senior Cardiac Specialist Nurse, said: “If patients suspect that they or a loved one is having a heart attack, they should call for help using 999.
“An ambulance paramedic will then assess the patient and decide whether the patient needs to be transferred to the specialist PPCI service at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.’’
Once the patient has received the specialist treatment at Blackpool and are assessed as safe to go home they will be discharged to their local hospital and GP for follow up care.
The risk of heart attacks and heart problems can be reduced if you stop smoking, exercise regularly, lose weight, drink alcohol in moderation, reduce your salt intake, and increase your intake of fresh fruit and vegetables. If in doubt consult your GP.
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