TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR HEALTH What Happens in the Emergency Department? First you will have an electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) and blood tests to determine whether you’ve experienced a heart attack (and, if so, what kind you’ve had). You will then likely receive oxygen immediately, nitroglycerin to widen the blood vessels around the heart, and morphine to lessen pain, reduce anxiety, and also widen blood vessels. In addition, you may receive clot-dissolving drugs, as well as anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs to prevent future blood clots from forming. Depending on test results, your doctor may perform a cardiac catheterization to view the extent of the blockage in your coronary arteries. Again, depending on the results of tests, you may undergo a procedure to open up the narrowed arteries (angioplasty) or to bypass them surgically with blood vessels taken from another part of the body. You may also receive medications such as beta-blockers or ACE inhibitors (to slow the heart rate, reduce arterial pressure, and help prevent heart failure) and statins (to lower cholesterol). Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Pfizer Inc

Heart Attack: Steps to Take Before, During, and After The following should help you reduce the chances of having a heart attack, better recognize if you are having a heart attack, and stay healthy after you’ve experienced a heart attack.     Learn how: 1) you can prevent a heart attack from occurring, even if you already have coronary artery disease (CAD); 2) minimize the damage if a heart attack has already begun; and 3) reduce your chance of having a future heart attack. You’ll also find out what to expect when you arrive at the hospital with symptoms of a heart attack.     Blood supplies the heart with oxygen and nutrients. A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, occurs when blood flow to the heart has been reduced long enough to cause the death of heart tissue. This interruption of blood flow is usually caused by atherosclerosis, a lifelong build-up of cholesterol and other fatty deposits on the walls of the arteries. If the atherosclerotic plaque ruptures, a blood clot can form that blocks the artery. How to Prevent a Heart Attack To reduce your risk of having a heart attack, you’ll need to make the following lifestyle changes. First of all, if you smoke, get help to stop as soon as possible! (This is one of the most important things you can do to avoid heart disease.) Smoking can damage blood vessel walls and cause other changes in the body, making it easier for fatty substances to develop and rupture. Second, if you don’t have an exercise routine, you should start one; if you do have a routine, you may want to ask your doctor whether you should increase your physical activity. (Did you know that exercise reduces blood pressure, cholesterol, body weight, and diabetes risk?) Third, eat foods that are good for your heart (including fish, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, olive oil) and avoid foods that are bad (including high-fat meats and dairy products, processed foods). Next, you should try to control stress and anxiety as much as possible.     If these lifestyle changes are insufficient, your doctor may prescribe a cholesterol-lowering drug such as a statin and/or a blood pressure–lowering drug such as a beta-blocker or ACE inhibitor. You may also be advised to take a daily aspirin to prevent blood-clot formation (or a similar medication if you can’t take aspirin). What to Do During a Heart Attack If you think you’re having a heart attack, every minute counts to save your life and minimize damage to your heart. Don’t wait! Call 911 right away! Some heart attacks come on suddenly and intensely, but others develop slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. These are the warning signs that should prompt you to make that call and seek immediate medical attention: Chest pain or discomfort: This is described as chest pressure, tightness, squeezing, burning, fullness, crushing, or a dull ache. Pain is not worsened by pressing on the chest wall. Discomfort in other areas of the upper body: Pain may radiate from the chest to the arms, back, jaw, or upper part of the abdomen; it may even start in one of those places. Shortness of breath: This may precede or accompany the chest pain. You may also feel as though you’re choking or that you have a “tight throat,” a lump in the throat, or a need to keep swallowing. Other signs: You may also experience a cold sweat; dizziness or lightheadedness; nausea/vomiting; tingling or numbness in the arm, hand, or jaw; an irregular heartbeat or pulse; or a sense of “impending doom.” Interestingly, men are more likely to experience “classic” chest pain, whereas women are more likely to have vague symptoms such as breathlessness, heartburn, nausea, or fatigue. What to Do After a Heart Attack The lifestyle changes and the medications used to prevent a first heart attack are also recommended to prevent another heart attack. In addition, you'll need to see your doctor for regular check-ups.