Treatment of a Heart Attack

Diagnosing a Heart Attack

A heart attack requires immediate emergency medical care. If you think you are having a heart attack, call 911 immediately. At the emergency room, you will be hooked up to a cardiac (heart) monitor, so medical personnel can monitor your heart's electrical activity. You will also undergo several different tests that will help the doctors to determine the appropriate treatments for you.

The following tests will likely be performed in the hospital:

• Blood tests
• Urine tests
• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Echocardiogram
• Coronary catheterization (angiography)
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Nuclear scanning
• Computed Tomography Electron-beam CT scan (CT angiography)
• Stress test

 

Find a Heart Specialist to help manage your health after a heart attack

Heart Attack Warning Symptoms

• Chest pain or discomfort. The typical heart attack pain is located in the center of the chest and lasts more than a few minutes. Usually the discomfort feels like pressure, squeezing, or heaviness.
• Pain or discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Some people who have heart attack have pain or discomfort in the upper arms, jaw, neck, or upper back.
• Shortness of breath. Shortness of breath can sometimes occur.
  Other symptoms.
• Other symptoms that can occur include unusual sweating, nausea, and lightheadedness.

Treatments for a Heart Attack

The treatment and management of heart attack involves emergency medical care before and after reaching the hospital, medications, lifestyle changes and, possibly, a cardiac procedure or surgery.

The goals of treatment are to restore blood flow to the heart muscle and prevent another heart attack.

Treatment involves the following:

• Lifestyle changes
• Medications
• Other treatments
• Surgery

 

Find a Heart Specialist to help manage your health after a heart attack