My Healthy Heart Articles
When Heart Attack Strikes
10/01/07
Treatment Options, Disease Basics, General
Each year, approximately 1.2 million Americans suffer a heart attack. Of those 1.2 million, 400,000 will not survive the event. There are steps you can take to improve your chance of survival in the unfortunate event you find yourself or a loved one battling a heart attack.
Also called myocardial infarction, coronary thrombosis, or coronary occlusion, heart attack is characterized by the death of or damage to part of the heart muscle. Such damage occurs if blood flow is blocked by build up on artery walls or a blood clot which cuts off the heart's oxygen supply. Heart attack leaves the heart weakened and unable to properly pump blood to the rest of the body.
Warning Signs
Some heart attacks are unmistakable with their sudden, shocking, and painful onset. However, the majority of heart attacks begin more subtly with only minor pain or discomfort. The American Heart Association recommends seeking immediate help when any of the following symptoms or signs occur:
- Chest discomfort including pain, pressure, or a squeezing sensation.
- Discomfort in the upper body like arm, back, neck, jaw, or stomach pain.
- Shortness of breath, even if there is no chest discomfort.
- Cold sweat, nausea, or light-headedness
While the most common symptom for both men and women is chest pain, women tend to experience other signs like shortness of breath more than men.
What to Do in Case of a Heart Attack
Time is of the essence. The faster you can identify and seek treatment for heart attack symptoms, the more likely the outcome will be a positive one. The American Heart Association recommends seeking emergency medical attention when experiencing symptoms like those listed in the previous section—even if you are unsure whether you are having a heart attack. The fastest way to access medical personnel is by dialing 9-1-1. Emergency response crews can begin immediate treatment whereas driving to a hospital can delay crucial, potentially life-saving treatment. Getting medical attention in the first hour of a heart attack reduces the amount of lost heart muscle.
After calling for help, there are a few things you can do. Some doctors and health experts suggest taking an aspirin while waiting for help to arrive—if you do not have an aspirin allergy. Research has shown that taking an aspirin early during a heart attack significantly increases survival.
At the Hospital
Once at the hospital doctors will work to reestablish full blood flow in the heart, stabilize the heartbeat, and allow the heart to recover. Different medications and surgical procedures offer doctors several options. According to the Texas Heart Institute, doctors may use a group of medications known as “clot busters,” or medications that will break down blood clots in the heart, to restore blood flow.
Other procedures like balloon angioplasty or stenting may be used to open a blocked blood vessel. If patients do not respond to those techniques, an artery bypass surgery may be performed.
In addition to clot busters, antioplasty, stenting, or surgeries, patients may receive blood-thinners to prevent subsequent blood clots. Other medications to slow the heart rate and reduce the heart's workload may also be given to patients.
Sources:
The American Heart Association
Texas Heart Institute
