The Seton Fund

To be re-designated as an accredited Chest Pain Center, Seton Medical Center Austin has met the essential requirements set forth by the internationally recognized Society of Chest Pain Centers. The medical teams at Chest Pain Centers work to quickly diagnose cardiac patients, begin treatment within minutes, and significantly improve the chance of a positive outcome. Chest Pain Centers achieve success with early intervention and rapid initiation of therapy. Approximately 8-10 million Americans visit hospitals each year with chest pain, but only ten to fifteen percent of these patients are diagnosed with an acute myocardial infarction, or heart attack.

Coronary Heart Disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, with approximately 1.2 million people suffering a heart attack each year. Nearly a third of those individuals die as a result. Only 13 percent of women consider heart disease their greatest health risk, yet it kills more women every year than the next eight causes of death combined — including cancer. The majority of heart muscle damage occurs in the first two hours of a heart attack. Warning signs often include tightness or pressure in the chest and may also spread to the shoulders, neck and arms. Early access to medical treatment is very important in this critical time period.

Seton Medical Center Austin continues to be a "Leader at Heart."