One cannot stress enough on the importance of our heart – a tirelessly ticking machine that keeps the life force within us flowing relentlessly. Such an organ requires a great deal of care. Several bad lifestyle choices that accompany today’s modern era, however, have put its health at a risk, predisposing us to several heart issues, the most forbidding of which is a heart attack. In India itself, one person dies of a heart attack every 33 seconds.
These numbers are heart-chilling and should be reduced with the right combination of treatment and lifestyle adjustment.
In the event that you or a loved one has suffered from a heart attack, it is natural to feel scared, but remember that good lifestyle modifications accompanied with the correct treatment regimen, can save you from a second and potentially more lethal attack.
Treatments during a heart attack
During an episode of heart attack, one of the first treatments carried out is cardio-pulmonary resuscitation or CPR. This process involves:
- Manual chest compressions
- Use of a defibrillator
Considering that a heart attack occurs without warning and that you may not always have immediate medical attention at hand, being trained to administer manual CPR, can be a lifesaving skill for every individual.
Medicines Used to Treat a Heart Attack
After having suffered from a heart attack, your cardiologist will likely prescribe a combination treatment regimen to help prevent another attack.
But remember, the therapy should be started as soon as possible to reduce the amount of heart damage. The treatment should be continuous, as advised by your doctor, without any missed doses or stoppage to prevent the risk of another heart attack.
Other procedures after a Heart Attack
If your cardiologist decides that medicines alone are insufficient to manage your condition, some surgical procedures may be advised.
- Coronary angioplasty
Through this procedure blood flow to the heart is restored.
- Coronary artery bypass surgery
Bypass surgery involves creating a new path for the blood to flow and reach the heart by bypassing or avoiding the blocked artery
- Cardiac rehabilitation
Consider this to be a regimen to get back to life following a heart disease. It involves making heart-healthy choices and lifestyle changes that focus on the four pillars of heart protection:
- Treatment
- Stress management
- Lifestyle modification
- Risk management
