Heart Attack

What is a heart attack?

Having a heart attack means that blood flow to your heart stops due to a blockage, which is often comprised of fat, debris, and cholesterol. 

This interruption in blood flow causes delicate tissues of your heart to become damaged or destroyed as oxygen delivery is limited, which can be life-threatening.

You can have a partial blockage (non-ST elevation myocardial infarction or NSTEMI), or a total blockage (ST elevation myocardial infarction or STEMI) during a heart attack. 

It’s also possible for a heart attack to occur because of abnormal spasming of your coronary artery, which can stop blood flow to a portion of your heart.

Am I at risk of a heart attack?

Not all heart attacks are preventable, but in many cases, you have underlying risk factors that can let you know if you have an increased risk of a heart attack. 

Some of these risk factors are even treatable or manageable. Your chances of suffering from a heart attack are elevated due to:

• Older age, since heart attacks are more common in men over 45 and women over 55
• Smoking cigarettes or chronic exposure to secondhand smoke
• Autoimmune disease, including lupus and rheumatoid arthritis 
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Family history of heart attack
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes 
• Obesity 

If any of these risk factors apply to you or if you haven’t had a routine physical in over a year, schedule a cardiovascular exam at Cardio Metabolic Institute right away. 

The expert cardiologists can even help you if you recently suffered from a heart attack or have a personal history of heart attacks. 

What is the treatment for a heart attack?

If you think you’re having a heart attack, like if you feel tightness or pressure in your chest, seek immediate emergency treatment. The cardiologists at Cardio Metabolic Institute can meet with you at the hospital or treat you afterward. Depending on the severity of your heart attack, you may need:

• Statin, beta blocker, or antiplatelet agent medications
• Smoking cessation therapies 
• Blood-thinning medications
• Cardiac rehabilitation 
• Pain relievers

Your cardiologist at Cardio Metabolic Institute might also recommend surgery after a heart attack. They can perform coronary angioplasty and stenting procedures to push out blockages and place a mesh stent to keep your artery open and clear. 

Sometimes bypass surgery is needed to sew veins or arteries in place, so blood can be diverted from the narrowed section of your heart. 

In any case, the dedicated cardiology team at Cardio Metabolic Institute not only treats your heart attack but also helps you lower your risk of future cardiovascular issues. 

Learn more about modern heart attack therapies by booking an exam at Cardio Metabolic Institute. Click on the online booking feature or call any office directly.