Are you looking for information about burn injuries or the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation? Read through the links below to find more helpful information. You may also contact West Hills Hospital & Medical Center with any further questions—we are happy to help. Call us at (818) 676-4000.

• The American Burn Association provides helpful information on burn prevention on their website.
  
• Learn more about the different types of burns from WebMD.com.
  
• This article from the American Heart Association describes the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation.
  
• This article is an overview on coronary heart disease from The New York Times’ Health Guide website.
  
• Familiarize yourself with some cancer facts and figures from the American Cancer Society.
  
• PubMed Health describes the causes, incidence, and risk factors for arthritis in this article.
  
• Use this guide from the National Association for Ambulatory Care to help you decide whether urgent care or emergency services may suit your needs best.
  
• The National Stroke Association website provides some helpful information on the types of stroke.
  
• Read more about herniated discs from this article posted on the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website.
  
• This article from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons also goes into detail about herniated discs.

When you are feeling miserable because of illness or injury and have a pressing need for medical attention, you may decide that a visit to the emergency room is the best option. You are not alone—read on to learn the most common reasons that patients visit a hospital’s emergency care center for immediate medical assistance:

• Heart attack symptoms
  Individuals experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, or myocardial infarction, require immediate medical attention. Symptoms of a heart attack include chest pain, upper body discomfort, nausea, cold sweat, and shortness of breath. If treatment is not started quickly (within 1 hour of the onset of symptoms), there may be irreversible damage to the heart muscle.
  
  
• Stroke symptoms
  Stroke is a serious event that can lead to permanent brain damage and death. The symptoms of stroke include numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, sudden vision changes, trouble speaking or understanding, problems with walking, and a sudden, severe headache that can be called ‘the worst headache of your life’. 
  
  
• Abdominal discomfort
  Stomach pain is a common reason that patients will visit the emergency room. With or without vomiting, intense stomach pain can be indicative of a serious medical issue, such as appendicitis, gallstones, poisoning, or other conditions.
  
  
• Fever
  Families with young children will often visit the emergency room if their child develops a fever. Small children and older adults tend to have weaker immune systems and have more difficulty fighting infection.
  
  
• Head pain
  Patients with frequent migraine headaches may not be able to get their pain under control without the intervention of a physician. As mentioned before, a severe headache may also be a sign of stroke.

West Hills Hospital & Medical Center prides itself on short emergency room wait times, access to the latest technology, and comprehensive services. Learn more about our emergency care and accredited Chest Pain Center by contacting our staff at (818) 676-4000.