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Treatments for Heart Attack

Authors:
  • Michael Jubinville, MPH
Publication Type:

Condition InDepth

Treatments for Heart Attack

The goal of treatment is to return blood flow to the heart muscle, limit damage, and lower the risk of other heart attacks. Treatment starts before and after reaching the hospital. Care includes:

  • Oxygen therapy—brings more oxygen to the heart muscle to lower the risk of heart damage
  • Medicine—opens blood vessels to increase blood flow to the heart and treats other problems that increase heart disease risk such as high blood pressure
  • Lifestyle changes—smoking, diet, and exercise habits can be changed to lower heart disease risk
  • Surgery—to return or improve blood flow to the heart
  • Cardiac rehab—a structured program focused on lifestyle changes and regular exercise

Your care team is made up of many types of health professionals. This includes doctors, surgeons, nurses, and pharmacists. Keep in touch with your team and to go recommended appointments. This will help you get the most from the treatments.

Heart attack treatment include:

Lifestyle changes

Medications

Other treatments

Surgery

References

  • Acute coronary syndromes. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/condition/acute-coronary-syndromes.
  • ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/condition/st-elevation-myocardial-infarction-STEMI.
  • Treatment of a heart attack. American Heart Association website. Available at: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/treatment-of-a-heart-attack.

Contributors

  • Michael J. Fucci, DO, FACC
Last Updated:
2022-03-01

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This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.