Can You Stop a Heart Attack?
If you experience the symptoms of a heart attack (such as pain or discomfort in your chest, shortness of breath, etc.), you might think that the event is going to run its course even if you get emergency medical treatment. However, that’s not necessarily true.
While you can’t stop a heart attack on your own, medical professionals in an emergency room have ways to keep the event from progressing and reduce its impact. That’s why it’s critical to seek medical attention immediately if you think you’re having a heart attack. This article explains.
What Is a Heart Attack?
A heart attack (also called a myocardial infarction) happens when a blockage in a coronary artery cuts off blood flow to the heart muscle. Without oxygen-rich blood, the heart muscle begins to die. The longer the blockage remains, the more damage it causes to the muscle.
The classic image of a heart attack is someone having sudden, excruciating chest pain. While some people experience that type of pain, the symptoms can be much more subtle. You might feel:
- Uncomfortable pressure in your chest.
- Pain in your arms, back, neck or jaw.
- Shortness of breath.
- A cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
It's important to note that women's heart attack symptoms can be different from men's. They’re more likely to experience shortness of breath, nausea and back or jaw pain.
Fast Action Is Essential
When it comes to a heart attack, time is muscle. The sooner you get to an emergency room, the sooner doctors can intervene to restore blood flow to your heart. This is why the answer to the question "Can you stop a heart attack?" is a qualified yes. While you can't stop it on your own, emergency medical professionals can.
Emergency departments are equipped with medications and procedures that can potentially stop the progression of a heart attack. These may include:
Aspirin
Chewing an aspirin at the first sign of a heart attack can help to thin the blood and improve blood flow.
Thrombolytics
These are "clot-busting" drugs that can dissolve the blockage in your artery.
Coronary Angioplasty and Stenting
In this procedure, a thin tube with a balloon at the tip is threaded through a blood vessel to the blocked artery. The balloon is inflated to open the artery, and a small mesh tube called a stent is often placed to keep it open.
Your Role in a Heart Attack
How you respond to having a heart attack can make a significant difference in your outcome. The single most important thing you can do is to call 911 immediately.
Do not drive yourself to the hospital. Emergency medical services personnel can begin treatment as soon as they arrive, and they are trained to handle cardiac arrest if it occurs. While waiting for the ambulance, you can chew an aspirin (unless you are allergic to it). If you have been prescribed nitroglycerin, you can take it as directed.
The bottom line is that you play a vital role in stopping a heart attack. Recognizing the symptoms and getting help quickly can make all the difference in minimizing damage to your heart and make all the difference in minimizing damage to your heart and supporting recovery.
If you are ever in doubt about what you are experiencing, it’s always better to be safe than sorry and call 911.
Talk With Your Provider About Your Heart Attack Risk
If you have questions about your heart attack risk or actions to take in case of a heart attack, your Baptist Health provider can answer them. Take a Health Risk Assessment and please visit our provider directory to find a Baptist Health provider in your area.
Next Steps and Helpful Resources
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