How is a heart attack diagnosed?
The initial diagnosis of a heart attack is made by a combination of
clinical symptoms and characteristic electrocardiogram (ECG) changes. An
EKG is a recording of the electrical activity of the heart. However,
confirmation of a heart attack can only be made hours later through
detection of elevated creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) in the blood. CPK
is a muscle protein enzyme which is released into the blood circulation
by dying heart muscles when their surrounding membranes dissolve.
What is the early management of a patient of heart attack?
Most of the patients of a heart attack are managed in a dedicated heart
care unit. Following are the elements in the management:
- Bed rest
- Oral Aspirin
- High flow O2
- Intravenous analgesia with morphine
- Monitoring the E.C.G.
Reperfusion: The immediate goal of treatment is to quickly open
blocked arteries and restore blood flow to the heart muscles; a process
called "reperfusion." Early reperfusion minimizes the extent
of heart muscle damage
and preserves the pumping function of the heart. Many drugs are
available to dissolve the clots and restore blood supply. Drugs like
tissue plasminogen-activator (t-PA) and streptokinase given
intravenously can open 80% of the blocked arteries within 90 minutes.
How can I prevent a second heart attack?
The best chances of preventing a second heart attack come from a
combination of medications and change of diet and lifestyle.
Drugs: Aspirin and beta blockers(drugs like Tenormin),
have been shown to reduce chances of a second heart attack and improve
future survival.
Diet: reducing weight and dietary fat.
