How is a Heart Attack Treated?

Dr. Aaron Grantham, interventional Cardiologist, explains what happens during a heart attack, how a heart attack is treated in the hospital, and what drugs are used. Dr. Grantham also explains what is happening to the patient as they are taken off the ambulance and into the cath lab - cardiac catheterization lab - for treatment as well as when they are taken to the CCU - coronary Care Unit. It is not uncommon for a patient to continue feeling symptoms of a heart attack until the artery has been opened for examination. An emergency angioplasty will be performed on the patient in order to remove the plaque clogging the artery. A sheath will be used to help insert a catheter so that digital images of the heart and its surroundings can be recorded. A balloon catheter and stent will be inserted in order to open the blockage and restore the blood flow through the artery.

After the emergency angioplasty, the patient will be transferred from the care of the interventional cardiologist to his cardiology partner in the CCU. The sheath will remain in the patient until the IV anti-coagulation medication has had time to reverse. The nursing staff will constantly assess the patient's heart rhythm, blood pressure, general well-being, and assess of the groin area throughout his stay in the hospital. The length of stay in the CCU varies depending upon medical circumstances; however the average length of stay in the hospital is between three and five days. Upon dismissal, your loved one may be asked to make changes toward a healthier lifestyle and participate in cardiac rehab.

For more information, go to www.cardiotabs.com.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• heart attack
• cardiac
• catheterization
• cath lab
• STEMI code
• CCU - coronary Care Unit
• CCU
• coronary Care Unit
• angioplasty
• cardiac arrest
• cardiologist
• drugs
• medication
• cardiac catheterization lab
• sheath
• cardiotabs
• stent
• artery
• health
• lifestyle
• healthy lifestyle
• heart health
• heart
• cardiac rehab
• IV anti-coagulation medication

[c2kmedical]

This is a very thorough video. When do patients get to see this video? Do they watch at the hospital?