CVI and Life-Guard Demonstrate Heart Alert Program

A Collaboration Between Teams 

Part of what makes heart attack care at Carilion so effective is the collaboration between our teams. During Heart Month, we focused a spotlight on our Heart Alert program and Carilion Clinic Life-Guard.

The program involves EMS providers, physicians and heart care professionals working seamlessly to minimize the time it takes to provide life-saving treatment.

We take pride in our rapid, efficient and highly successful approach to heart attack care and the teams that make it possible. 

Know the Signs 

Do you know the signs of a heart attack?

The first crucial moments during a heart attack are the moments it takes to recognize these signs.

Those moments are full of split-second decisions. Our care teams work seamlessly to ensure that the right decisions are made at each moment. 

Quick, Informed Care Decisions 

Keeping our community healthy starts with each of us. But it's also essential that our community knows about the heart-care resources we offer close to home. So we invited WSLS on board Life-Guard to observe our team's response to cardiac emergencies during a simulated emergency cardiac event.

Cardiology specialist Ayoub Mirza, M.D., joined pilot Jason Evans and flight paramedics Taylor Powell, Alex Hennis and Ben Burkett for an in-flight Heart Alert simulation largely coordinated by flight paramedic Shawn Belcher.  

The flight simulation showcased how quickly our flight paramedics act to stabilize patients in critical condition.

As they soared over the valley in a Life-Guard transport helicopter, Dr. Mirza got an inside look at the care a cardiac patient in Craig County would experience.

“It was a pleasure to spend time with our skilled paramedic team and see Life-Guard in action," said Dr. Mirza. "Though a cardiac event is a difficult experience, I feel confident in our ability to set patients at ease with the knowledge that they are receiving top-of-the-line care.”

He continued, “From the time they board our helicopter to the time they leave our hospital, our patients are in the hands of practiced clinicians with extraordinary dedication.”  

Smooth Transitions 

The news crew later spoke with cardiologist Chalak Berzingi, M.D., about the transition from helicopter to hospital – a pivotal phase during any emergency treatment.  

“The Heart Alert response requires every clinician to make measured decisions as they work toward an optimal outcome for the patient, and that starts when paramedics arrive on scene,” said Dr. Berzingi. “There’s a certain agility involved in the flight care process that those of us waiting at the hospital don’t often get to witness, but it is crucial nonetheless. Our cardiology teams on the ground look forward to a continued partnership with Life-Guard.”