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A heart attack (acute myocardial infarction) can have a profound effect on your quality of life. If you have a heart attack, some of your heart muscle becomes damaged and dies. That’s why treatment for heart attacks focuses on preserving your heart’s function and preventing another heart attack in the future.
It is important to recognize the signs of a heart attack and to act immediately by calling 9-1-1, even if you are not sure you're having a heart attack. The faster you are treated, the lower your risk is of heart muscle damage or death.
All of the following can be signs of a heart attack:
While all heart attacks require prompt care, the severity and corresponding treatment plan may vary. If an artery becomes completely blocked, for example, and the damage involves the full thickness of the heart muscle, the resulting life-threatening condition is known as an ST elevation MI, or STEMI. Treatment for STEMI is different from that for other types of heart attacks. As a result, it is important that a heart attack patient be taken by ambulance to a hospital designated as a STEMI receiving center - where a STEMI can be treated within 90 minutes or less, as American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association guidelines suggest. Always call 9-1-1 if you suspect a heart attack to ensure you receive treatment as fast as possible.
St. John's designation as a STEMI receiving center means heart attack patients have access to our three state-of-the-art catheterization laboratories, where minimally invasive diagnostic heart procedures are available within minutes. Our fast treatment times improve chances of survival and a full recovery.
Common emergency treatments for heart attack include:
If you are diagnosed with a heart attack, you will likely undergo one of the following surgeries:
After you recover, you may be asked to consider some follow-up care options, including:
When you’re having a heart attack, treatment decisions have to be made quickly. The need for immediate intervention will likely prevent an opportunity to fully consider all options.
However, after you recover from your surgical procedure, you will be able to discuss your preferred follow-up treatments with your Dignity Health St. John's doctor. Your doctor’s recommendations will take into account your overall health, the extent of damage to your heart, and the severity of your heart disease.
Almost all heart attacks can be prevented if you: