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There's been a quiet reinvention of heart attack care that's making big strides in saving patients from serious heart damage, Gina Kolata wrote recently 

 to talk about advances in care and what can be improved.


"We've been advocating for getting our act together and moving quickly for literally two decades," said Dr. Sharonne Hayes, a cardiologist at Mayo Clinic. "What has really happened is we put the systems in place to achieve this and when you have a little success it makes everybody get on board."


The time for care dropped when all sides of the system coordinated: from recognition and speed on first contact with a paramedic or emergency room to transfer to hospitals with the technology required for proper care, said Dr. Chet Rihal an interventionalist and the chairperson of the Cardiology Department at Mayo Clinic. 


In order to continue improving survival and prevention of heart damage, potential heart attack victims need to take action more quickly. 


One caller told his heart attack survival story and explained how his own denial led to delayed care:

Caller: Heart attack denial is biggest danger to patients by MPR News


If you think you're having a heart attack, Hayes and Rihal said it's best to call 911 rather than getting a ride to a nearby emergency room. Paramedics can start immediate treatment when they arrive and also transport you quickly to the best facility for heart care.

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In order to continue improving survival and prevention of heart damage, potential heart attack victims need to take action more quickly, heart experts said.

The death rate from heart attacks has plummeted in the last decade, in large part due to changes in the ways hospitals treat their patients. We looked at the changes being made and also focus in the unique factors for women and heart attacks. GUESTS: Dr. Sharonne Hayes and Dr. Chet Rihal of Mayo Clinic.

How hospitals are improving heart attack care, survival

PHILIPPE HUGUEN | AFP | Getty Images

Full discussion: http://bit.ly/1JSfyfu On MPR News with Kerri Miller July 7, 2015, two heart experts from Mayo Clinic discussed advances in treatment that are leading to better outcomes for heart attack patients. A caller told his story about surviving a heart attack and said his own denial is what delayed his treatment most. 

How hospitals are improving heart attack care, survival

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