This 24-hour service is often the "front door" of OSF St. Francis Hospital. For many people, it is their first experience with the hospital and, if needed, their entrance to the acute care setting. The most serious and life-threatened patients are always seen first. Those patients with relatively minor complaints may experience a short wait before being treated by a physician.

The professionals working in the OSF Emergency Department are board certified physicians and registered nurses, all of whom are trained in Advanced Cardiac Life Support. Physicians and nurses have many years of experience providing emergency care. The Emergency Services Department at OSF St. Francis Hospital offers 24-hour physician coverage with five full-time physicians.

The Emergency Department has quick access to radiology equipment, laboratory services, the Special Care Unit and operating rooms, ensuring patients a prompt response in time of crisis. The seven treatment rooms, including a cast room and two critical care rooms, are all designed to offer state-of-the-art monitoring equipment and personalized care.

Heart Attack -- n. myocardial infarction

Damage to an area of heart muscle that is deprived of oxygen, usually due to blockage of a diseased coronary artery, typically accompanied by chest pain radiating down one or both arms.

A heart attack is a common, but devastating, reason for an Emergency Department visit. Unfortunately, too many people wait too long before seeking emergency medical attention. Due to advancements in medicines, if you have a heart attack, seeking help within 30 minutes of the onset of symptoms doubles your chance of surviving.

Heart attack is the leading cause of death for all Americans over the age of 40, both men and women. The warning signs of heart attack are:

• chest pain
• radiating pain
• indigestion
• shortness of breath
• dizziness
• profuse sweating

Risk Factors for Heart Attack or Disease Beyond Your Control

• Age: Risk of heart disease increases with age.
• Gender: Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. After menopause, a women's risk of heart disease quickly becomes the same as a man's.
• Family history: Find out if heart disease runs in your family so you can take an aggressive stance.
• Race: African Americans have more severe hypertension--and, consequently, a greater risk of heart disease--than white Americans.

Risks You Can Control

• High blood pressure: Hypertension is one of the greatest risk factors and strikes one in every three Americans. But you can control it.
• High cholesterol level: Through a carefully controlled diet or with medication, you can control this risk factor.
• Diet: A low-fat, high fiber diet, with plenty of fruits, vegetables, grains and cereals, will lower your risk of heart disease.
• Weight: A 20 percent weight reduction reduces your risk by 40 percent. Losing as little as 10 to 20 pounds, though, can help lower your heart disease risk.
• Stress: Everyone experiences stress; managing it can decrease your risk of heart disease.
• Smoking: Quitting smoking cuts your risk of heart disease. After 10 years smoke-free, your risk of heart disease is nearly that as if you never smoked.
• Physical inactivity: Regular, moderate-to-vigorous exercise plays a significant role in preventing heart and blood vessel disease. Even moderately intense physical activities are beneficial if done regularly and long-term. Exercise can help control blood cholesterol, diabetes and obesity as well as help lower blood pressure in some people.

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW EXPERIENCES ANY HEART ATTACK SYMPTOMS, CALL 911 AND GET TO THE NEAREST HOSPITAL RIGHT AWAY. DON'T DELAY.

Stroke -- n. apoplexy, brain attack

A sudden attack of weakness paralyzing one side of the body. The consequence of an interruption to the blood flow to the brain. The primary disease is in the heart or blood vessels; the effect on the brain is secondary. Can cause clotting (thrombosis), a detached clot that lodges in an artery (embolus), or rupture of an artery wall (hemorrhage). Varies in severity from a passing weakness or tingling in a limb to a profound paralysis, coma, even death.

Warning Signs That Can Save Your Life

• weakness, numbness or paralysis on one side of the body
• blurred or decreased vision in one or both eyes
• slurred speech or difficulty speaking or understanding speech
• sudden, severe or unexplained headache, dizziness or loss of balance

Risk Factors Beyond Your Control

• Age: The incidence of stroke more than doubles every 10 years for people over age 55.
• Gender: Men have a greater risk of stroke than women. Women who take oral contraceptives, especially if they also smoke, have a greater risk than women who do not.
• Race: Black Americans have a greater risk of stroke than white Americans.
• Diabetes mellitus: If you have been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, you may be at increased risk for stroke.
• Prior stroke: If you have already had one or more strokes, you are at greater risk for stroke.
• Heredity: A family history of stroke indicates that you may be more at risk for stroke yourself.

Risks You Can Control

• High blood pressure: High blood pressure (hypertension) is the most important risk factor for stroke because it strikes one in every three Americans. The higher the blood pressure, the greater the risk. Fortunately, it's a variable you can control.
• Heart disease: A diseased heart can be both a defective (weak) pump and a source of blood clots. Some of the same risk factors for coronary heart disease (elevated cholesterol level, smoking) are direct risk factors for stroke.
• Smoking: If you smoke, quit. If you don't, don't start.
• High red blood cell count: An increased red blood cell count puts you at risk for stroke because the increased red blood cells thicken the blood, increasing the chances for clotting.

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW EXPERIENCES ANY STROKE SYMPTOMS, CALL 911 AND GET TO THE NEAREST HOSPITAL RIGHT AWAY. DON'T DELAY.