Heart Attack

What Other Terms Are Used to Describe a Heart Attack?

• Acute Coronary Syndrome
• Coronary thrombosis
• Myocardial infarction (MI)

What is a Heart Attack?

• Chest discomfort or symptoms (noted below) lasting 15 minutes or longer
• Discomfort is not relieved (or only temporarily) with rest or nitroglycerin
• One of the coronary arteries bringing blood and oxygen to the heart muscle is completely blocked usually because of atherosclerotic plaque and a blood clot
• Permanent damage occurs and a part of the heart muscle dies due to an inadequate supply of blood and oxygen to an area of the heart for a prolonged time.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of a Heart Attack?

• Sudden sweating
• Weakness
• Palpitations
• Nausea
• Burning in throat
• Indigestion
• Shortness of breath
• Chest discomfort, pressure, tightness, squeezing
• Chest discomfort, may radiate to right or left arm or shoulder
• Back, neck or jaw pain

A heart attack can occur without any signs or symptoms. This is known as a "silent heart attack."

What Should be Done When Experiencing Symptoms that Could be a Heart Attack?

• Don't wait, time is a critical factor in preventing extensive damage to the heart
• Call 911 for emergency instructions
• If not sure, call 911 so an expert can help

What is the Diagnosis of a Heart Attack Based on?

• Physical signs and symptoms
• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Blood enzyme tests

What Treatment Can be Expected?

Immediate - in Emergency Room

• Rest
• Oxygen
• Medications to relieve pain, dissolve blood clot, (TPA, streptokinase), relieve pain, and/or stabilize the heart rhythm and blood pressure
• Emergency cardiac catheterization, angioplasty (PTCA) or coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) may be done.

Long-Term

• Medication
• Angioplasty or bypass surgery to open or bypass arteries that are blocked
• Modification of risk factors
• Cardiac rehabilitation program

How Does the Heart Heal?

• Recovery begins very quickly following a heart attack.
• The heart needs time and energy to heal. Therefore, bed rest and decreasing activity are very important in the early stages of recovery.
• The rate of recovery depends on several factors: the amount of damage to the heart, the patient's general health prior to the heart attack, and any complications that might have occurred.
• The average recovery period is six to twelve weeks.
• The heart may adapt by forming new branches of blood vessels to the coronary arteries. These new vessels will nourish the area of the heart surrounding the damaged tissue. This process is called collateral circulation.
• White blood cells remove damaged tissue and eventually replace it with strong scar tissue.
• The healthy part of the heart takes over the work of the damaged part and tries to restore normal heart function.