MercyOne Cardiac Response Network
Expert Heart Attack Care. Connected Across Iowa. No matter where you are in Iowa, MercyOne is ready to provide rapid access to life-saving cardiac care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Expert cardiac care when every minute counts
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Schedule an appointmentFrequently Asked Questions
The MercyOne Cardiac Response Network is a coordinated system that connects EMS agencies, community hospitals, emergency departments and cardiovascular specialists to help ensure patients experiencing a serious heart attack receive timely, expert care.
The network is designed to support patients experiencing time-sensitive cardiac emergencies, particularly ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), a severe type of heart attack that requires immediate treatment.
Heart attack treatment is highly time sensitive. By connecting local providers with advanced cardiac specialists and treatment centers, the network helps reduce delays and improve patient outcomes.
Patients benefit from:
- Faster diagnosis and treatment
- Seamless coordination between care teams
- Access to advanced cardiac interventions
- Improved continuity of care during transfers
- Care closer to home whenever possible
No. Emergency cardiac care is provided to anyone experiencing a cardiac emergency. The goal is to ensure patients receive the most appropriate care as quickly as possible.
The network partners with hospitals throughout the region to provide standardized treatment protocols, consultation resources, transfer support, and access to cardiovascular specialists when advanced care is needed.
EMS professionals are often the first healthcare providers to evaluate a patient experiencing a heart attack. Through the network, EMS teams can identify cardiac emergencies early, notify receiving facilities, and help expedite treatment.
If advanced intervention is necessary, the network coordinates rapid transfer to a MercyOne facility equipped to provide specialized cardiovascular care, including emergency cardiac catheterization and other advanced treatments.
Yes. Emergency cardiac care teams and network protocols are available around the clock to support patients and referring providers whenever a cardiac emergency occurs.
The program brings together providers across multiple communities through shared protocols, real-time communication, clinical expertise and a commitment to delivering exceptional cardiovascular care throughout Iowa.
Symptoms may include:
- Chest pain or pressure
- Pain in the arm, neck, jaw, shoulder, or back
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Cold sweats
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
If you think you're having a heart attack, call 911 immediately.
Healthy lifestyle choices can make a significant difference, including:
- Managing blood pressure and cholesterol
- Staying physically active
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Not smoking
- Eating a heart-healthy diet
- Managing diabetes and other chronic conditions
- Following up regularly with a healthcare provider
