A patient at Grady Health, Department of Cardiology in Atlanta was so grateful for the health education video that was playing in the waiting room during a recent visit, he actually returned to thank the front desk. The video helped save his life.

While waiting for his Doctor’s appointment, the patient viewed a Milner-Fenwick patient education video that was available in the cardiology waiting room. Later, upon experiencing symptoms, the patient was able to recall the information presented in the video, which prompted him to seek emergency medical attention in the ER.

Diane Wirth, ANP-BC, Heart Failure Care Coordinator, Grady Department of Cardiology, reported that the patient “told the front desk staff he remembered the information he had seen on the video. He felt that he learned the warning signs of a heart attack and went to the ER and was treated promptly. He stated he would not have known to seek attention if he had not seen the video.”

As outlined by the American Heart Association, in the case of a cardiac event, every second counts. Interventions, whether medicinal or surgical are effective when applied in a short timeframe, and can reduce resulting disabilities and save lives. Medications such as clot-busting drugs can stop some heart attacks and strokes in progress. To be effective, these drugs must be given relatively quickly after heart attack or stroke symptoms first appear. Many patients aren’t sure what is wrong when they experience symptoms, and they wait too long to seek treatment.

Patient education is a key factor in preventative care. As the Milner-Fenwick cardiology series video Signs and Symptoms of a Heart Attack highlights, the key is for patients to seek help quickly and prevent further damage to their heart. It reviews the signs of a heart attack, what happens in the body during a heart attack, and possible treatments at the hospital. Angioplasty and bypass surgery are mentioned. The emphasis of this program is on acting quickly and appropriately. Real patients share what it felt like to them when they had a heart attack.

Milner-Fenwick offers the most comprehensive collection of cardiology patient education videos available from any source. Composed of over 60 in-facility videos and four extended length home videos, this series covers: heart failure; heart surgery and procedures; cardiac rehabilitation; heart conditions; and prevention of heart disease.

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Source: Milner-Fenwick Inc.