'Time is Muscle' When It Comes to Emergency Angioplasty Today, most sudden heart attacks are treated with emergency angioplasty. The time between a patient's arrival at the Emergency Department and emergency angioplasty, known as the "Door to Dilation" interval, can mean the difference between life and death.

The Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Team at the Haynes Cardiovascular Institute takes its Door to Dilation time very seriously and consistently exceeds national standards.

In 2009, it was 44 minutes - over 46 minutes faster than the national "gold" standard of 90 minutes (American College of Cardiology Data, 2009)

Dr. Brian Strunk performs minimally invasive radial access for angiogram

Is faster really better? Absolutely. Shorter times mean a better chance of survival as well as:

• Less myocardial damage
• Faster recovery
• Overall better outcomes, giving you back your life

Make Every Second Count When a Heart Attack Strikes How do you know it's a heart attack?
Most of us assume it will be obvious - severe pains or a heavy, weighted feeling in the chest, or radiating pain down the left arm. But symptoms may also include: lightheadedness, nausea, shortness of breath... especially in women.

If you, or someone you know, are having a heart attack, call 911. Don't delay. The time between arrival at the ER and treatment is critical.

Haynes Cardiovascular Institute's Cardiac Catheterization Lab - State-of-the-Art Care, Close to Home

• A highly-skilled 24-hour on call Cardiac Cath Lab Team
• Rapid response in the ER and Cath Lab for a better chance of survival and faster recovery
• Only full service Cardiac Cath Lab in Marin, offering diagnostic services and treatment
• New technology also enables treatments of blood vessel disease outside the heart