BOUNTIFUL — A recent study found that only 26 percent of people with heart attack symptoms in the area went to Lakeview Hospital or other MountainStar hospitals in Salt Lake City in an ambulance, according to a press release from the hospital.

Around the country, the average patient waits two or more hours after the onset of symptoms to get to a hospital. Such delays prevent them from taking advantage of the special technology in emergency rooms and ambulances designed for heart care.

Lakeview Hospital and other MountainStar hospitals are first in the state to become Chest Pain Centers accredited by the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care.

 “ Too many people wait too long before calling 911 when they think they might be having a heart attack,” said Cydney Vandyke, chest pain and stroke coordinator at Lakeview Hospital.