Heart Attack
A heart attack happens when the arteries to the heart are narrowed or blocked by fat and cholesterol buildup. This prevents the heart from getting the blood and oxygen it needs. Without oxygen, the cells in the heart begin to die. The more time that passes without treatment, the greater the damage to the heart. Once that muscle dies, the result is permanent heart damage.
Treatment for a Heart Attack
Once the diagnosis of heart attack is confirmed, treatments to restore blood flow to the heart are started. If medicines can’t stop a heart attack, medical procedures – such as a balloon angioplasty – may be used to compress the plague in the artery or implanting a stent to keep the artery open for increased blood flow. In severe cases, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is done to bypass blocked coronary arteries and providing a new route for blood flow to the heart muscle.
The cardiac team at Trident Health System constantly reviews best practices that result in better outcomes for our patients. Trident’s “door-to-balloon” time (a time measurement starting when a patient enters the ER until the clogged artery is opened) remains lower than the national average. The Emergency Departments at Trident Health System exceed national standards for quality care for chest pain and are accredited by the Society of Chest Pain Centers.
Are You At Risk for a Heart Attack?
Review the checklist below to identify your risk factors for heart disease.
- Over age 45 (men)
Watch a brief video featuring Dr. William Yarbrough,
cardiologist at Trident Medical Center, discussing
life saving actions you can take when experiencing chest pain. - Over age 55 (women)
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Family history of heart attack or stroke
- Smoking
- Age 55 or older
- Gender – Males are at a greater risk than females
- Carotid or other artery disease
- Sickle Cell Anemia
- Coronary heart disease or heart failure
If you have any of these risk factors, please discuss an action plan with your physician. For more information or to find a physician, please call Consult-A-Nurse at 843-797-FIND (3463).
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