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(Circulation. 2006;114:e578-e580.)
© 2006 American Heart Association, Inc.

Cardiology Patient Page

Modern Treatment for Heart Attacks

Opening Blocked Arteries Quickly

Amy F. Marple, MD; Elliott M. Antman, MD; Mary M. Hand, MSPH, RN

From the Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Mass (A.F.M., E.M.A.), and the Office of Extramural Research, Education, & Priority Populations, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, Md (M.M.H.).

Correspondence to Mary M. Hand, MSPH, RN, NHLBI Health Information Center, PO Box 30105, Bethesda, MD 20824–0105.

An extract of the first 250 words of the full text is provided, because this article has no abstract.

	Introduction

 
During a heart attack, a clot forms in an artery that supplies blood to the heart and blocks blood flow to the area of heart muscle supplied by that artery. The portion of the heart muscle deprived of blood carrying the needed oxygen begins to become damaged. This is called a "myocardial infarction," more commonly known as a heart attack. The amount of lasting damage to the heart muscle depends on a number of factors—the size of the clot, the location of the clot, and how long the clot blocks blood flow to the muscle. The longer the heart muscle is without blood and oxygen, the more extensive the damage to the muscle and the greater the size of the heart attack. Learning the warning signs of a heart attack and what steps to take right away can save a life—perhaps your own (Table).^1,2

View this table: [in this window] [in a new window]   Heart Attack Warning Signs

	Fast Action Saves Lives

 
Calling 9–1–1 is the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. If you or someone you are with has any symptoms of a heart attack, call 9–1–1 immediately! If you have a history of chest pain for which your doctor has prescribed nitroglycerin, then take ONE dose right away. If your symptoms are not better 5 minutes after taking one dose, then you should call 9–1–1 immediately. In the past, you may have been told to take up to 3 doses of nitroglycerin before calling 9–1–1. However, the medical guidelines for the use of nitroglycerin have changed to help people who . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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Circulation 2006 114: 2089. [Extract] [Full Text]