UnityPoint Health St. Luke's Hospital

St. Luke's ER sign Each year, hundreds of thousands of Americans experience the most serious type of heart attack known as an ST-elevated myocardial infarction, or STEMI, in which blood flow is completely blocked to a portion of the heart. Unless the blockage is eliminated quickly, the patient’s life is at serious risk. These patients visit their nearest hospital - hospitals which often lack a catheterization (cath) lab to open a blocked vessel.

Cheri Pettibone, 58, and her husband Roy, enjoy an active lifestyle. They are frequent hikers and bikers. The Marion couple was looking forward to pursuing these activities well into their future until Cheri started experiencing severe pain in her knees.

Heart disease remains the number one killer of men and women. Knowing your risk for a heart attack before you show any signs or symptoms may save your life.

For several weeks Frank Makinster, 68, shrugged off intermittent back pain and made note that he should see his chiropractor. “I had been having tightness and soreness between my shoulder blades,” said Frank. “I also felt some discomfort in the middle of my chest during my daily exercise on the treadmill. I would just fight through it thinking I needed an adjustment at my chiro soon.”