Expertise to Prevent and Treat Heart Attack

Know the Signs and Symptoms of Heart Attack

People often dismiss heart attack warning signs, such as chest pain, or mistake heart attack symptoms for heartburn or a pulled muscle. While chest pain is the most common symptom of a heart attack, there are other symptoms which may include:

• Anxiety
• Indigestion
• Nausea
• Pain traveling down one or both arms
• Rapid or irregular pulse
• Unusual fatigue and/or light-headedness

Heart Attack Symptoms May be Different for Women

Women often experience signs and symptoms of heart disease that are different from men. This is because smaller arteries may be blocked in women whereas men often have blockages in the main arteries. Heart attack symptoms in women may include:

• Light-headedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
• Lower chest discomfort or back pain
• Pressure, fullness, squeezing pain in the center of the chest, spreading to the neck, shoulder or jaw
• Unusual fatigue
• Upper abdominal pressure or discomfort

Comprehensive Care During and After a Heart Attack

The heart specialists at University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute provide life-saving heart attack treatment. We use advanced techniques to relieve pain, preserve heart muscle function and prevent death.

During a heart attack, our heart and vascular specialists will continually monitor your heart and may perform one or more of the following treatments:

• Antiplatelet therapy to prevent more blood clots from forming.
• Cardiac medications to prevent arrhythmias, abnormal heart rhythms, promote blood flow, prevent blood clotting and reduce heart rate and blood pressure.
• Fibrinolytic therapy uses medication to dissolve the blockage and restore blood flow to the heart.
• Oxygen therapy to improve oxygen flow to your heart.
• Pain medication to reduce pain and decrease workload on the heart.

After we have confirmed a heart attack and effectively stabilized you, we may conduct a procedure to restore blood flow. A minimally invasive procedure known as angioplasty may be necessary to open blocked arteries.

In some cases, coronary artery bypass surgery may be performed to open arteries and restore blood supply to your heart.

Understanding Your Heart Attack Risk Factors

There are some heart attack risk factors that are hereditary. These include a family history of diabetes, heart disease or hypertension, among others. Additional risk factors include:

• High cholesterol
• Obesity
• Physical inactivity
• Smoking
• Stress

Fortunately, many risk factors are acquired and can be controlled through lifestyle changes, including:

• A heart-healthy diet with plenty of whole grains, lean protein, fruits and vegetables
• Regular exercise, both aerobic and strength training
• Weight loss
• Quitting smoking
• Stress management

If you or a loved one have risk factors for heart attack, the specialists at UH Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute offer advanced diagnostic and predictive tests including coronary artery calcium scoring. These tests can help determine your risk level so an appropriate treatment plan can be developed.

Rehabilitation After a Heart Event

The cardiac rehabilitation specialists at UH Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute are dedicated to helping patients improve their health and prevent future complications after a heart attack or heart-related procedure. Cardiac rehabilitation begins during hospitalization and continues in a supervised outpatient setting. Our team includes cardiologists, specially trained nurses, exercise physiologists, registered dietitians, pharmacists and psychologists who work together to help patients return to an active lifestyle.

Cardiac rehab is typically a 12-week, 36-session program. Our patients receive personalized education and instruction in exercise, nutrition, stress reduction and smoking cessation.