Heart attacks are one of the scariest ailments a person can have. Often it begins as shortness of breath, chest or upper body pain, or a feeling of anxiety. However, during these crucial moments, damage can already be occurring in the heart. If an effective heart attack treatment is not administered quickly, a heart attack often ends in death.
It is extremely important to call emergency services as soon as possible after potential heart attack symptoms present themselves. The longer the heart attack is allowed to continue, the more damage will be done to the heart muscle. This not only increases the chances of dying during the heart attack, but also makes future heart problems more likely. The purpose of a heart attack treatment is mostly to mitigate this damage as much as possible.
Before emergency personnel are certain of a heart attack, there are a few quick and non-invasive procedures that can begin mitigating the damage. Aspirin can be administered to thin the blood and reduce clotting, improving blood flow to the heart. Oxygen can be administered to aid in breathing and help the blood stay oxygenated. Nitroglycerin can ease the burden of the heart and help blood flow.
When doctors are sure that the ailment is a heart attack, they will spring into action to mitigate damage to the heart at all costs. The most common types of treatment in this situation are clot-busting medication, and percutaneous coronary intervention.
Clot-busting medication, professionally known as thrombolytic medication, are medicines specifically designed to dissolve blood clots. They take some time to work, so it is best for them to be administered as soon after symptoms present as possible. With timely administration, clot-busters can eliminate any clots blocking the coronary arteries which are those arteries leading into the heart.
Percutaneous coronary intervention is a slightly more invasive and direct method of clearing out a coronary artery, though less direct and invasive than surgery. This procedure involves threading a thin plastic tube, called a catheter, through blood vessels and up to the offending artery. A common insertion point is the upper thigh. Once the catheter is in the vicinity of the blood clot, a balloon at the end of the tube is filled with air, which will push the clot out of the way and restore blood flow. During this procedure, it is common for the doctor to decide to add a stent, which is a small mesh tube. This tube will remain in place and prevent future blockages in the same area in the future.
Most treatments for heart attacks are more effective the earlier the heart attack is caught, so it is important not to ignore heart attack symptoms. Heart attacks often present with no chest discomfort, so pay attention to light-headedness, nausea, cold sweats, anxiety, and shortness of breath. Of course, a painful or constricting sensation in the chest is also cause for immediate concern. The sooner treatment is found, the more limited the damage will be. Calling emergency services earlier may save your life.