
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, November 6, 1993                   TAG: 9311060084
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

HOSPITALS TO HOST PROGRAMS ON HEART ATTACK SURVIVAL

HeartNet of the Virginias, a network of doctors and hospitals in Southwest Virginia dedicated to improved cardiology services, is offering a series of free community programs designed to increase the chance of surviving a heart attack.

Officials hope the Early Response program, scheduled at hospitals around the area, will help people recognize the early warning signals of a heart attack and seek medical help.

According to the National Heart Attack Registry, Southwest Virginia still lags behind the national average in the response time for heart attacks. The registry's data shows patients wait an average of five hours and 34 minutes before seeking medical attention, about 30 minutes longer than the national average.

Those minutes are crucial, especially now that physicians have access to advanced clot-dissolving drugs that can help limit the severity of a heart attack.

Doctors say a patient who receives treatment in the first hour after a heart attack has the best chance of survival.

Community Hospital of Roanoke Valley and Roanoke Memorial Regional Heart Center have held one program and scheduled two additional programs Wednesday and Nov. 15 from 7-8 p.m. at Vinton War Memorial, Carilion North Roanoke Center and the Salem Rescue Squad.

Bedford Community Hospital has scheduled its program for Thursday from 7:30-8:30 p.m. at the hospital auditorium.

Wythe County Community Hospital has scheduled programs for Thursday and Nov. 18 from 7:30-8:30 p.m. at the Wythe/Bland Medical Office Building.

Radford Community Hospital has scheduled a program for Nov. 18 from 7-8 p.m. at the hospital's wellness center.

Giles Memorial Hospital has set its program for Tuesday from 7-8 p.m. at the Giles Rescue Squad Building.

Franklin Memorial Hospital has scheduled programs Tuesday and Nov. 15 from 7-8 p.m. at the hospital's board room.

Alleghany Regional Hospital has set Nov. 17 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. for its program at its hospital B and C conference rooms.

Tazewell Community Hospital already has had two programs and has scheduled a third for Thursday from 7-8 p.m. at the hospital's conference room.

Bluefield Regional Medical Center will hold the last of its two programs Thursday from 7-8 p.m. at the center's conference room.

For more information about registration, call (800) 422-8482.

by CNB