Op-Ed: When Every Minute Matters: Protecting Hearts Close to Home
February 19, 2026
February is American Heart Month: a time to focus on the health of the organ that quite literally sustains our lives. As a cardiologist, I see every day how heart disease touches families in our community. It remains the leading cause of death in the United States, yet many cardiac events are preventable, and outcomes improve dramatically when patients receive rapid, coordinated care.
When it comes to heart attacks, we often say “time is muscle.” Every minute the heart is deprived of blood flow increases the risk of permanent damage. That simple reality underscores why preparation, protocols, and teamwork matter so much.
I am proud that Haywood Regional Medical Center has earned full Chest Pain Center Accreditation from the American College of Cardiology. This designation is not symbolic. It requires a rigorous evaluation of how we respond to patients with chest pain, from the moment they arrive in the Emergency Department through diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care.
Accreditation means our hospital meets nationally recognized standards for rapid assessment, evidence-based treatment and continuous quality improvement. It reflects coordinated systems that reduce delays, ensure accurate diagnoses, and mobilize specialized teams when seconds matter most. The goal is straightforward: minimize heart damage, improve survival and help patients return home safely and sooner.
But Heart Month is not only about emergency care. It is also about prevention. I encourage everyone to know their numbers (blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar) and to work with a primary care provider to manage risk factors. Small, consistent changes in diet, physical activity, and tobacco cessation can significantly reduce the likelihood of a cardiac event.
It is equally important to recognize warning signs. Chest pressure or discomfort, shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, or unexplained fatigue should never be ignored. If you believe you may be experiencing a heart attack, call 911 immediately.
During Heart Month, my hope is that our community approaches heart health with intention and awareness. And if the unexpected happens, you can feel confident knowing that experienced, accredited cardiac care is close by and ready when you need it most.