What should I do if I suspect I am having a myocardial infarction?

Call an ambulance or doctor immediately. The earlier the treatment, the better the chance of a good outcome. The following describes a typical course of events that then occurs.

• You will be given a dose of aspirin immediately to reduce the 'stickiness' of the blood. It helps to prevent further blood clotting.
• You will normally be admitted to hospital.
• A strong pain killer given by injection will ease the pain.
• Heart monitoring (ECG) and blood tests are done to confirm an MI, and to rule out other causes of chest pains.
• You will usually be given an injection of a 'clot busting' drug. This dissolves the blood clot. The sooner this is given, the better. The part of the heart muscle starved of blood does not die ('infarct') immediately. If blood flow is restored within a few hours, much of the heart muscle that would have been damaged will survive.
• Injections of heparin are usually given for a few days to help prevent further blood clots.
• Your heart is monitored for a few days to check on the heart rhythm.
• Various tests may be done to look for complications.
• You will be advised to take regular medication from now on. Medication after an MI is discussed more fully in another leaflet. Briefly, the following four drugs are commonly prescribed to prevent a further MI, and to help prevent complications.
• Aspirin - to reduce the 'stickiness' of platelets in the blood which helps to prevent blood clots forming. If you are not be able to take aspirin then an alternative anti-platelet drug such as clopidogrel may be advised.
• A beta-blocker - to slow the heart rate, and to reduce the chance of abnormal heart rhythms developing.
• An ACE inhibitor (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor) - especially if you have any heart failure (see below).
• A statin drug to lower the cholesterol level. This helps to prevent the build-up of atheroma.