What are the treatment options for heart attack?

A heart attack happens when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is blocked. Clinicians first assess symptoms, vital signs, and heart activity, commonly using an electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood tests. An ECG records the heart's electrical activity and helps guide the urgency and type of treatment.

Medicines may reduce clotting, improve blood flow, ease chest discomfort, or reduce the heart's workload. In hospital, a cardiology team may open the blocked artery with a catheter-based procedure and place a small support device, or use another method when that is more suitable. Treatment is chosen according to the type of heart attack, timing, test results, other illnesses, and bleeding risk.

If you think you or someone else may be having a heart attack, stop activity, sit or lie in a comfortable position, and contact emergency services immediately. Do not drive yourself. Keep the person still and follow the emergency operator's instructions; do not give food, drink, or medicines unless instructed or the person has a prescribed plan.

After urgent treatment, follow the discharge plan carefully. This may include prescribed medicines, appointments, gradual activity guidance, smoking support, and cardiac rehabilitation. A GP consultation can help coordinate ongoing risk-factor care after the acute episode.

Seek emergency help immediately for pressure, squeezing, or pain in the chest, especially with breathlessness, sweating, nausea, faintness, or discomfort spreading to an arm, back, neck, or jaw. Symptoms can be less typical, particularly in older adults, women, and people with diabetes. Do not wait to see whether symptoms settle.

Ask which type of heart attack was diagnosed, what each medicine is for, how long it should be taken, and which warning signs require urgent help. You can also ask when driving, work, exercise, and sexual activity may be resumed, and whether cardiac rehabilitation or a GP consultation is appropriate.