Fit and Well: Cardiac Catheterization Lab

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — February is American Heart Month, and the Cardiac Catheterization Lab performs some of the most significant heart procedures.

The lab at St. Luke’s has been in the Magic Valley since 1997. Last year, doctors there helped treat more than 2,100, including 160 who had heart attacks.

It is also where more procedures, such as pacemakers and angiograms, are performed. Hollie Powell, the manager of cardiac procedures at St. Luke’s, explained why having labs here in the Magic Valley is essential.

“This is where people come when they are having a heart attack,” Powell said. “The thing with someone having a heart attack is time is muscle. The longer you wait to get that artery open, the more damage they are going to have on your heart muscle. So, time is of essence.”

Health experts warn you should not drive yourself or a loved one who is having a heart attack to the hospital. Calling 911 will allow paramedics to perform life-saving measures if anything goes wrong.

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