The sooner therapy begins after a heart attack, the better the chances of restoring blood flow to the affected areas and limiting tissue loss. Immediate therapy after a heart attack is also important to keep the complication rate and risk of death low. The first measure even before therapy is: Call the emergency physician if a heart attack is suspected! In the meantime, it may be advisable for the affected person to sit quietly with the upper body elevated and take one tablet of acetylsalicylic acid (500 mg).
Heart attack: bypass surgery.
During transport to the hospital, the doctor administers oxygen, painkillers and sedatives, followed by therapy and monitoring in the intensive care unit at the hospital.
Usually, either a cardiac catheterization is performed (during which the affected vessel can be dilated directly) or an IV is given to dissolve the blood clot.
Sometimes bypass surgery is performed directly as part of heart attack therapy; however, this is high-risk in such acute cases.
Heart attack: therapy with drugs
In the next step of therapy after a heart attack, the affected person receives medication to thin the blood, improve heart function and prognosis, some of which must be taken continuously even after hospitalization after a heart attack.
Aftercare of myocardial infarction.
Almost always, the hospitalization is followed by follow-up treatment in a rehabilitation facility as part of the heart attack therapy, where the affected person learns to live with his disease. This includes physiotherapy and breathing exercises as well as cardiovascular training.
Regular check-ups are essential following therapy after a heart attack.
It is important that the affected person changes his or her life to minimize the risk of another heart attack. This includes a healthy diet and regular, moderate exercise such as light jogging, walking or swimming.
