Michael H. Peters, M.D., cardiologist with the Alegent Health Heart and Vascular Institute

Find out more about Dr. Peters

Q:   If I have chest pain, I really can't be sure it's a heart attack.  What is the right Alegent Health facility to get my pain checked out?

A:  Chest pain doesn't always mean heart attack. But if it happens to you, you don't want to have to guess whether or not it's a heart attack; you want to know.

That's why Alegent Health created the Chest Pain Centers . The Chest Pain Centers are specially equipped and staffed to immediately diagnose and care for people who are having chest pain and who fear they might be having a heart attack.

Last year, more than 1,000 patients were evaluated at the Alegent Health Chest Pain Centers, located in the emergency departments of Alegent Health Bergan mercy Medical Center and Immanuel Medical Center in Omaha, and Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs.

However, the Chest Pain Centers are not a typical emergency room. Some very important differences are that the evaluation is done as an outpatient; and it is more accurate, less costly and is completed much faster than traditional methods.

Visitors to the chest Pain Centers fall into three main categories:

• Patients experiencing a full-blown heart attack receive immediate treatment and are rushed to a coronary-care unit.
• Patients who are having chest pain but who are not in immediate danger go to an observation unit or are treated and released.
• If the chest pain is not related to a heart condition, the patient can return home with greater peace of mind.

No matter who comes through the doors, we're prepared for them.  We're staffed 24 hours a day by nurses with critical care training and experienced emergency physicians, and cardiologists are available at all times.

The Alegent Health Chest Pain Centers offer you one other big advantage: they're the only ones in the area. If you need immediate attention for chest pain, visit the only centers designed specifically for you.