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HEART
ATTACK
How
are heart attacks treated?
Once you're in the hospital, a doctor will review your history
and examine you. He or she will perform an electrocardiogram
(ECG) and run blood tests to diagnose the cause of your pain.
If you are having an attack, the doctor and the hospital will
set a team in motion to try to open the artery that is responsible
for the attack. In hospitals where a catheterisation laboratory
is not available, the doctor may prescribe medications to break
up the blood clot, boost the heart's pumping power, and reduce
the work of the heart.
After the episode is over, you may need angioplasty, bypass
surgery, or other treatments to improve blood flow to your heart
and prevent future attacks. You will definitely need further
evaluation to determine your risk, and will likely be placed
on medication to prevent future events.
