Heart attack warning signs.
A heart attack (myocardial infarction) happens when blood flow through a coronary artery becomes severely restricted or blocked. Symptoms aren't always dramatic — know the signs.
Get evaluated now if you have—
- —Chest pain or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
- —Chest discomfort with shortness of breath
- —Sudden sweating along with any of the above
- —Pain spreading to the arm, jaw, neck or back
- —Sudden weakness, dizziness or near-fainting
- —Any crushing chest pressure, of any duration
Symptoms right now?
If severe, call 911. Otherwise, we're open 24/7.
How we evaluate & treat.
12-lead EKG on arrival
Reads your heart's electrical activity within minutes of check-in.
Troponin & cardiac enzyme labs
On-site testing to detect heart muscle damage.
Continuous cardiac monitoring
Ongoing tracking of heart rhythm throughout your visit.
IV medications & oxygen
Stabilization measures start immediately.
Chest X-ray & CT
On-site imaging to rule out other causes.
Rapid transfer coordination
If cardiac catheterization or intervention is needed, we coordinate the handoff directly.
Why ER Of Fort Worth for cardiac care.
Board-certified ER physicians
Not urgent-care staff — Emergency Medicine specialists trained for exactly this.
Stat troponin lab on-site
Something most urgent care clinics simply don't have.
Average wait under 10 minutes
Time matters with cardiac symptoms — we move fast.
Coordinated cardiac transfer
Direct coordination for catheterization or intervention when needed.
Frequently asked questions.
What does a heart attack feel like?
Most often, pressure, tightness or squeezing in the chest lasting more than a few minutes, sometimes spreading to the arm, jaw, neck or back. Shortness of breath, cold sweat, nausea or dizziness can accompany it — or, especially in women, be the main symptom.
Can urgent care treat a heart attack?
No. Urgent care clinics typically don't have stat troponin labs, continuous cardiac monitoring, or IV cardiac medications. Any suspected heart attack needs true emergency-room-level care.
How fast will I get an EKG?
We aim to perform a 12-lead EKG within minutes of your arrival for anyone reporting chest pain or related symptoms.
Can a heart attack come on slowly?
Yes. Symptoms can build gradually over minutes to hours rather than striking all at once, which is part of why people sometimes delay seeking care. When in doubt, get evaluated.
What's the difference between a panic attack and a heart attack?
Both can cause chest tightness and shortness of breath, which is exactly why self-diagnosing is risky. An EKG and troponin test can tell the difference quickly — that's why we run them for anyone with concerning chest symptoms.
Care across North Texas.
We serve patients from Fort Worth and surrounding communities including:
Related care worth knowing about.
Cardiac symptoms can overlap with other emergencies — we also treat shortness of breath and blood clots around the clock. Want to know who's on shift? meet our board-certified ER physicians, and you can save time with online check-in for non-emergency visits.