Medication
At the first signs of a heart attack, call for emergency treatment (911). Do not wait for your symptoms to "go away." Early recognition and treatment of heart attack symptoms can reduce the risk of heart damage and allow treatment to be started immediately.
Procedures
Restoring blood flow quickly helps prevent heart damage. Medications given to treat a heart attack might include: Aspirin. The 911 operator might tell you to take aspirin, or emergency medical personnel might give you aspirin immediately. Aspirin reduces blood clotting, thus helping maintain blood flow through a narrowed artery. Thrombolytics.
Therapy
Rest is important after a heart attack, but it's just as important for you to participate in recreation and social events and to begin making physical activity a part of your daily life. In many cases doctors will recommend that survivors get more physical activity than they got before their heart attack.
What should I do if I have a heart attack?
Lifestyle and home remedies. Excess weight strains your heart and can contribute to high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes. Eat a heart-healthy diet. Saturated fat, trans fats and cholesterol in your diet can narrow arteries to your heart, and too much salt can raise blood pressure.
How do medications treat a heart attack?
How important is rest after a heart attack?
What is the best way to prevent heart disease?
Why is it important to receive treatment after a heart attack?
Getting early and effective treatment during and after a heart attack can limit the damage to your heart. Heart attack treatment depends upon the severity of the blockage and the extent of the damage to the muscle.
Why is it important to seek medical attention if you are having a heart attack or stroke?
If blood flow isn't restored quickly, a heart attack can cause permanent heart damage and death. A heart attack is a life-threatening emergency. If you suspect you or someone you're with is having a heart attack, do not hesitate to call 911 (or your local emergency services phone number).
What treatment should be given in case of heart attack?
You might receive clot-dissolving drugs (thrombolysis), balloon angioplasty (PCI), surgery or a combination of treatments. About 36 percent of hospitals in the U.S. are equipped to use a procedure called percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), a mechanical means of treating heart attack.
Do you need medical attention for a heart attack?
Each minute after a heart attack, more heart tissue is damaged or dies. Urgent treatment is needed to fix blood flow and restore oxygen levels. Oxygen is given immediately. Specific heart attack treatment depends on whether there's a partial or complete blockage of blood flow.
What happens if you have a heart attack and don't go to the hospital?
During a heart attack, blood flow to the heart stops due to a blockage in a coronary artery. These are the arteries that carry blood to the heart. If a person does not receive immediate treatment, this lack of blood flow can cause damage to the heart.
Why is it okay to give aspirin to someone who is experiencing a heart attack?
Aspirin works on platelets by stopping their clotting action. Since blood clots can block the arteries that supply blood to your heart, the anti-clotting action of aspirin means blood can flow more easily while you seek further medical help to take care of the blockage.
How to prevent heart attack?
Exercise. Regular exercise helps improve heart muscle function after a heart attack and helps prevent a heart attack. Get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week, or a combination of moderate and vigorous activity. Maintain a healthy weight.
What to do after a heart attack?
Having a heart attack is scary, and you might wonder how it will affect your life and whether you'll have another one. Fear, anger, guilt and depression are all common after a heart attack. Discussing them with your doctor, a family member or a friend might help.
How does an echocardiogram help?
An echocardiogram can help identify whether an area of your heart has been damaged. Coronary catheterization (angiogram). A liquid dye is injected into the arteries of your heart through a long, thin tube (catheter) that's fed through an artery, usually in your leg or groin, to the arteries in your heart.
How long does it take to recover from a cardiac rehab?
Most hospitals offer programs that might start while you're in the hospital and continue for weeks to a couple of months after you return home. Cardiac rehabilitation programs generally focus on four main areas — medications, lifestyle changes, emotional issues and a gradual return to your normal activities.
How long does it take to recover from a heart attack?
If possible, however, you might have bypass surgery after your heart has had time — about three to seven days — to recover from your heart attack.
What is the purpose of a cardiac MRI?
Cardiac MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create images of your heart. For both tests, you lie on a table that slides inside a long tubelike machine. Each can be used to diagnose heart problems, including the extent of damage from heart attacks.
How to deal with stress as a workaholic?
Rethink workaholic habits and find healthy ways to minimize or deal with stressful events in your life. Avoid or limit alcohol. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. For healthy adults, that means up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men.
How long does it take to get help for a heart attack?
The best time to treat a heart attack is within one hour of the onset of the first symptoms. Waiting just a couple hours for medical help may change your treatment options, increase the amount of damage to your heart muscle and reduce your chance of survival.
How to get rid of heart problems?
Keep all your medical appointments and be an active member of your health. Seeing your healthcare providers on a regular basis can uncover any heart-related issues quickly and treatment can begin immediately. You don't have to make lifestyle changes all on your own. Ask your healthcare team for help.
What are the symptoms of a heart attack?
Upper back or shoulder pain. Jaw pain or pain spreading to the jaw. Pressure or pain in the center of the chest. Light headedness. Pain that spreads to the arm. Unusual fatigue for several days. If you experience any of these symptoms of a heart attack, call for emergency assistance (911).
What is it called when you have a clot in your heart?
This is called atherosclerosis. Sometimes this plaque ruptures and forms a clot within the artery, which restricts blood flow to your heart. Blocked blood flow cuts off the needed supply of oxygen and nutrients, damaging or destroying that area of heart muscle.
Why do you need an echocardiogram?
Echocardiogram (echo) An echo can be performed during and after a heart attack to learn about how your heart is pumping and identify areas of your heart that are not pumping normally. The echo is also valuable to see if any structures of the heart (valves, septum, etc.) have been injured during the heart attack.
Why is blood drawn?
Blood may be drawn to measure levels of biochemical markers. These markers are found inside your body's cells and are needed for their function. When your heart muscle cells are injured, their contents --including the markers -- are released into your bloodstream.
How do you know if you have a heart attack?
Symptoms of a heart attack include: 1 Angina: Chest pain or discomfort in the center of the chest; also described as a heaviness, tightness, pressure, aching, burning, numbness, fullness or squeezing feeling that lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back. It is sometimes mistakenly thought to be indigestion or heartburn. 2 Pain or discomfort in other areas of the upper body including the arms, left shoulder, back, neck, jaw, or stomach. 3 Trouble breathing or feeling shortness of breath. 4 Sweating or "cold sweat." 5 Fullness, indigestion, or choking feeling (may feel like " heartburn "). 6 Nausea or vomiting. 7 Light-headedness, dizziness, extreme weakness or anxiety. 8 Rapid or irregular heart beats.
What is the best way to treat a heart attack?
Treatment for a heart attack. The goal of treatment for a heart attack is to relieve pain, preserve the heart muscle function, and prevent death. Treatment in the emergency department may include: Intravenous therapy, such as nitroglycerin and morphine.
How to manage risk of heart attack?
Here are ways to manage your risks for a heart attack: Look at which risk factors apply to you, then take steps to eliminate or reduce them. Learn about high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels. These may be "silent killers.". Change risk factors that aren't inherited by making lifestyle changes.
What causes a blockage in the heart?
The blockage is caused by a buildup of plaque in the arteries ( atherosclerosis ). Plaque is made up of deposits, cholesterol, and other substances. When a plaque breaks (ruptures), a blood clot quickly forms. The blood clot is the actual cause of the heart attack.
What is the best treatment for a damaged heart muscle?
Intravenous therapy, such as nitroglycerin and morphine. Continuous monitoring of the heart and vital signs. Oxygen therapy to improve oxygenation to the damaged heart muscle. Pain medicine to decrease pain. This, in turn, decreases the workload of the heart. The oxygen demand of the heart decreases.
How do you know if you have a heart attack?
But each person may have slightly different symptoms. Severe pressure, fullness, squeezing, pain, or discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes. Pain or discomfort that spreads to the shoulders, neck, arms, or jaw.
What are the two types of risk factors for heart attacks?
There are two types of risk factors for heart attack. Inherited (or genetic) Acquired. Inherited or genetic risk factors are risk factors you are born with that cannot be changed, but can be improved with medical management and lifestyle changes.
What happens if blood is cut off?
If the blood and oxygen supply is cut off, muscle cells of the heart begin to suffer damage and start to die. Irreversible damage begins within 30 minutes of blockage. The result is heart muscle affected by the lack of oxygen no longer works as it should.
How to improve heart health after heart attack?
Lifestyle changes —Eating a healthier diet, increasing physical activity, quitting smoking, and managing stress—in addition to taking prescribed medicines— can help improve your heart health and quality of life.
How to reduce the chances of heart attack?
Your doctor may want you to limit work , travel, or sexual activity for some time after a heart attack.
What is cardiac rehabilitation?
Cardiac rehabilitation — Cardiac rehabilitation is an important program for anyone recovering from a heart attack, heart failure, or other heart problem that required surgery or medical care.
What does it feel like to have a heart attack?
The discomfort can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain. Feeling weak, light-headed, or faint. You may also break out into a cold sweat.
How to help someone quit smoking?
A team of people may help you through cardiac rehab, including your health care team, exercise and nutrition specialists, physical therapists, and counselors or mental health professionals.
What are the risk factors for heart disease?
About half of all Americans have at least one of the three key risk factors for heart disease: high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and smoking. 2. Some risk factors cannot be controlled, such as your age or family history. But you can take steps to lower your risk by changing the factors you can control.
Can a heart attack cause shortness of breath?
This often comes along with chest discomfort, but shortness of breath also can happen before chest discomfort. Other symptoms of a heart attack could include unusual or unexplained tiredness and nausea or vomiting. Women are more likely to have these other symptoms. Learn more about women and heart disease.
What to do if someone has a heart attack?
What to do if you or someone else may be having a heart attack 1 Call 911 or your local emergency number. Don't ignore the symptoms of a heart attack. If you can't get an ambulance or emergency vehicle to come to you, have a neighbor or a friend drive you to the nearest hospital. Drive yourself only if you have no other option. Because your condition can worsen, driving yourself puts you and others at risk. 2 Chew and swallow an aspirin while waiting for emergency help. Aspirin helps keep your blood from clotting. When taken during a heart attack, it could reduce heart damage. Don't take aspirin if you are allergic to it or have been told by your doctor never to take aspirin. 3 Take nitroglycerin, if prescribed. If you think you're having a heart attack and your doctor has previously prescribed nitroglycerin for you, take it as directed while waiting for emergency medical help. 4 Begin CPR if the person is unconscious. If the person isn't breathing or you don't find a pulse, begin CPR to keep blood flowing after you call for emergency medical help.#N#Push hard and fast on the center of the person's chest in a fairly rapid rhythm — about 100 to 120 compressions a minute. 5 If an automated external defibrillator (AED) is immediately available and the person is unconscious, follow the device instructions for using it.
How to treat heart attack with nitroglycerin?
If you think you're having a heart attack and your doctor has previously prescribed nitroglycerin for you, take it as directed while waiting for emergency medical help. Begin CPR if the person is unconscious . If the person isn 't breathing or you don't find a pulse, begin CPR to keep blood flowing ...
How to do CPR if you are unconscious?
Begin CPR if the person is unconscious. If the person isn't breathing or you don't find a pulse, begin CPR to keep blood flowing after you call for emergency medical help. Push hard and fast on the center of the person's chest in a fairly rapid rhythm — about 100 to 120 compressions a minute.
How long does chest pain last after a heart attack?
Nausea, indigestion, heartburn or abdominal pain. A heart attack generally causes chest pain for more than 15 minutes. Some people have mild chest pain, while others have more-severe pain. The discomfort is commonly described as a pressure or chest heaviness, although some people have no chest pain or pressure at all.
Why do you need to swallow aspirin?
Because your condition can worsen, driving yourself puts you and others at risk. Chew and swallow an aspirin while waiting for emergency help. Aspirin helps keep your blood from clotting. When taken during a heart attack, it could reduce heart damage.
What does it mean when you feel a heaviness in your chest?
The discomfort is commonly described as a pressure or chest heaviness, although some people have no chest pain or pressure at all. Women tend to have more-vague symptoms, such as nausea or back or jaw pain. Some heart attacks strike suddenly, but many people have warning signs hours or days in advance.
What does it mean when your chest hurts?
Pain or discomfort that spreads to the shoulder, arm, back, neck, jaw, teeth or occasionally upper abdomen. Nausea, indigestion, heartburn or abdominal pain. Shortness of breath. Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting.
How to get over a heart attack?
In many cases doctors will recommend that survivors get more physical activity than they got before their heart attack. A good night's rest is especially important for heart attack patients. And if you feel tired during the day, take a nap or a short rest. Heart patients should rest before they get too tired.
What does it mean when you have a heart attack?
But having a heart attack does mean you need to make some changes in your life. Your doctor will advise you of medications and lifestyle changes according to how badly your heart was damaged and what degree of heart disease you have. It's up to you to follow your doctor's recommendations to make a full recovery. .
What to do if you have chest pains after eating?
If you're having ANY chest pains, tell your doctor. There are exercises and medication that can help ease or prevent the pain. If you don't know if your chest pain is angina or a heart attack, call 911.
How does a heart attack affect your family?
Your heart attack has probably had a big emotional impact on your family. They may feel frightened, angry, resentful or even guilty. Teenagers are especially sensitive and may think that something they did caused you to have the heart attack. It's better for everyone to get his or her feelings out in the open.
How long does it take to get back to work after a heart attack?
Most heart attack patients go back to work within two weeks to three months depending on the severity of the heart attack. Your doctor will determine when you can go back and if your current job is suitable for a person who has had a heart attack.
What are the ABCs of prevention?
The ABCs of prevention are: A void Tobacco — As a nonsmoker, you can go so many places and enjoy so many experiences that were off limits to you as a smoker. B ecome More Active — Regular physical activity will ease stress and depression, help control weight and help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
How do doctors treat heart attacks?
Learn more about different types of heart attack here. In most cases, a doctor will treat heart attacks using catheterization and stent placement. Catheterization involves feeding a tube into the heart through a small cut in the groin or arm. A stent will hold the artery open.
What happens if you don't treat a heart attack?
Risks of not treating a heart attack. If a person does not receive treatment for a heart attack, it can lead to serious complications. It may even be fatal. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally, with 85%. Trusted Source. of these deaths occurring due to heart attack or stroke in 2016.
Why does blood flow stop during a heart attack?
During a heart attack, blood flow to the heart stops due to a blockage in a coronary artery. These are the arteries that carry blood to the heart. If a person does not receive immediate treatment, this lack of blood flow can cause damage to the heart.
How long does it take for a heart attack to go away?
Heart attack symptoms typically persist for longer than a few minutes. They may go away and come back again, or they may occur intermittently over several hours. . In most cases, the symptoms will begin slowly and cause mild pain or discomfort. Sometimes, however, the symptoms can be sudden and intense.
How long do heart attacks last?
Some may come on suddenly, while others may begin slowly. They may last for a few minutes or several hours. Untreated heart attack symptoms can lead to serious complications or even death.
How long does it take to recover from a heart attack?
It depends on several factors, including the person’s overall health and the amount of damage the heart attack has done to their heart muscle. Most people have to stay in the hospital for at least a few days after a heart attack.
What is the procedure to restore blood flow to the heart?
Surgery can help restore blood flow to the heart. Surgical procedures for heart attack patients include bypass surgery. Bypass surgery involves redirecting the blood flow around the blockage. Learn more about bypass surgery here. Some people also consider catheterization and stent placement to be a form of surgery.
How to revive someone who has a heart attack?
Defibrillators come with easy-to-use instructions, so it’s possible for a non-EMS worker to revive you if the heart attack strikes. 2. Take aspirin.
How to prevent heart attack?
While you can’t control all your heart attack risk factors, such as aging, gender (men are at higher risk), and heredity, there are some that you can control. To prevent your risk of a heart attack: 1 Stop smoking and minimize your exposure to secondhand smoke. 2 Get your high blood cholesterol and high blood pressure under control by modifying your diet, losing weight, taking medication, or doing a combination of these things. 3 Stay physically active daily. 4 Control your weight if you’re overweight or obese. 5 If you have diabetes, take care by sticking to your treatment plan and managing your blood sugar. 6 Get a handle on the stress in your life by practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing or yoga, or try talk therapy. 7 Limit your alcohol consumption. 8 Consume a healthy and balanced diet, rich in a variety of vitamins and minerals.
What is a defibrillator in EMS?
A defibrillator is the kind of device EMS workers use to revive people who are experiencing heart attacks.
How does aspirin help with heart attacks?
Aspirin works by slowing the blood’s ability to clot. During a heart attack, aspirin slows blood clotting and minimizes the size of the blood clots that might have formed. Once the EMS arrive, they will transport you to the hospital, where you receive care for the specific type of heart attack you had. Learn more about treatments ...
What to do if you have a heart attack alone?
If you’re alone and experience any of the above heart attack symptoms, call 911 right away. Take aspirin if you have it on hand. Then, unlock your front door and lie down near it, so EMS workers can easily find you.
What to do when someone is around you?
If others are around, tell them to stay with you until emergency medical services (EMS) workers arrive. Calling 911 is usually the fastest way to get emergency care, as opposed to asking someone to drive you to a hospital in their car.
How to control your blood sugar?
If you have diabetes, take care by sticking to your treatment plan and managing your blood sugar. Get a handle on the stress in your life by practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing or yoga, or try talk therapy. Limit your alcohol consumption.
Diagnosis
Treatment
Clinical Trials
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
Specialist to consult
Coping and Support
Preparing For Your Appointment
- The type of heart attack (also called myocardial infarction, or MI) you experienced determines the treatments that your medical team will recommend. A heart attack occurs when a blockage in one or more coronary arteries reduces or stops blood flow to the heart, which starves part of the heart muscle of oxygen.