Treating a Heart Attack -- Act Immediately!

Treatment options for a heart attack depend on when the treatment is delivered.

Immediate action can save a life. If you think someone has had a heart attack:

• Call 9-1-1 for emergency medical help.
• If the person has been prescribed nitroglycerin, help him/her take it while waiting for help to arrive.
• If the person is unconscious, supply oxygen by CPR or, if you don't know how to do CPR, apply 100 chest compressions per minute. To find out how to do "rescue breathing" and chest compressions, click here.

Medications are commonly used in the ambulance or ER. They include:

• Aspirin
• Thrombolytics
• Superaspirins
• Other blood-thinning medications
• Pain relievers
• Nitroglycerin
• Beta blockers
• Cholesterol-lowering medications

There are also surgical and other procedures, including coronary angioplasty and coronary artery bypass surgery.