Treatment for a heart attack should be done in the hospital and may include the use of medications to improve blood circulation and surgical procedures to restore blood flow to the heart.
It is important to identify the first symptoms of a heart attack, such as severe chest pain, general discomfort and shortness of breath, especially after the first occurrence, so that the person is transported to the hospital as soon as possible, where they will be treated and monitored. to avoid serious complications and aftermath. Check what symptoms may indicate a possible heart attack.
Treatment options most commonly used by your doctor in a heart attack situation include:
Because the infarction is caused by the obstruction of a blood vessel that feeds the heart, the first step of its treatment is usually the use of antiplatelet drugs that prevent the formation of blood clots and improve circulation. Examples include aspirin, clopidogrel or prasugrel, for example. These medications, in addition to helping with treatment, also prevent the onset of a new heart attack.
In addition, medications that lower blood pressure, relieve chest pain and relax the heart muscle may also be used, bringing your heart rate back to normal.
All medications used during treatment may be maintained for a period of several months or years, depending on your doctor’s instructions and the severity of your heart attack.
Angioplasty, also known as catheterization, is used when medication is not enough to restore blood flow. This procedure is done through a tube, called a catheter, which is placed in an artery in your leg or groin and travels through your body to the blood vessel affected by the clot and has a heart attack.
The catheter has a balloon at its end that inflates to open the blocked blood vessel and, in some cases, a stent is placed, which is a small metal spring that helps prevent the vessel from closing, causing a new heart attack. .
In the most severe cases, bypass surgery, usually done 3 to 7 days after the heart attack, may be necessary. This surgery involves removing part of the safena vein, located in the leg, to replace the blocked part of the heart artery, reactivating normal blood flow to the organ.
Learn how this surgery is performed and when it’s indicated
Post-infarthyrothering physiotherapeutic treatment should be initiated in the hospital after the cardiologist is discharged and usually consists of:
Exercises to improve body conditioning.
The intensity of the exercises varies depending on the rehabilitation phase in which the patient is located. First, it is suggested 5 to 10 minutes of exercise 2 times a day, which progresses until the individual can perform 1 hour of exercise per day, which usually occurs 6 months after the heart attack.
After a heart attack, you should gradually return to the normal routine, be able to perform activities such as driving and return to work after medical clearance.
In general, patients continue to take blood-thinning medications and try physical therapy exercises, as well as taking care of their weight, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly to strengthen the heart.
Também é importante lembrar que é permitido ter relações íntimas normalmente, pois o esforço físico desta atividade não aumenta o risco de ter um novo ataque cardíaco.
Prevention of myocardial infarction is mainly done with lifestyle changes, including healthy eating, physical activity, stress reduction and cessation of smoking and consumption of alcoholic beverages. See more tips here.
Know what to eat to avoid a heart attack: