Emergency Treatments

Posted: Aug. 1, 2004

Treatments for a heart attack work to open the blocked artery to restore blood flow as fast as possible to prevent or limit damage to the heart muscle, and to lessen the chance of a repeat attack. The main treatments are thrombolytic ("clot-busting") therapy, other medications, and special procedures, such as angioplasty and coronary artery bypass surgery.

To be most effective, these treatments must be given fast-within 1 hour of the start of heart attack symptoms. Acting fast can save your life and limit damage to your heart.

Besides thrombolytic, or clot-busting, drugs, other medications also are used to treat a heart attack and ischemia, as well as to ease chest pain. These drugs include aspirin, nitrates, such as nitroglycerin, and beta blockers.

Aspirin. Aspirin is now given to all patients who arrive at the hospital emergency department with a suspected heart attack. Aspirin acts to thin the blood and lessen the size of a blood clot during a heart attack.

Nitrates, including nitroglycerin. This relaxes blood vessels and stops chest pain.

Beta blockers. These reduce nerve impulses to the heart and blood vessels. This makes the heart beat more slowly and with less force.

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