Dial, Don't Drive, emergency responders say - MSNewsNow.com - Jackson, MS

"Does it hurt when you breathe?" And with that, the medical questions begin during a dramatization of emergency response to heart attack or stroke. It's practice that health care professionals with American Medical Response repeat often. @

"We're going to take an EKG to get a better look at your heart," the responder tells a man posing as a patient. 

"There are things we are capable of doing to activate needed services for you that would give you a faster level of care, and/or provide services in route that could be life saving measures," said Michael Arinder with AMR.

Arinder says their capabilities to treat people on the scene are top notch. And your job as a potential patient is very simple. Dial, Don't Drive! if you or someone you know are having symptoms of heart attack or stroke.

Dee Howard is executive director of the Mississippi Healthcare Alliance, which is the coordinating unit between hospitals and field responders. "Communication from the ambulance to the hospital is critical. And they do that. They call immediately with the patient's information and give that to the hospital so the hospital can be ready and prepared for that patient's arrival."

Ambulance transport has changed tremendously. Care begins immediately upon arrival at the scene, and it's care that can preserve your quality of life, if not save your life. Arinder says patient families should be "patient" while emergency responders are caring for a heart attack or stroke victim. "When we arrive at that home, we may take time in that home by not immediately picking you up to begin transportation, but to detect things going on, and to avoid you standing or moving positions that could worsen your condition. We're able to fix them before we move you and stabilize you appropriately for transportation. "