How is a Heart Attack Diagnosed?
DiagnosisA heart attack is often diagnosed in an emergency room, where physicians will act immediately to diagnose and treat the condition. Doctors can use the following tests to diagnose a heart attack:
- Electrocardiogram - Also known as an EKG or ECG. Electrode sensors are placed on the chest and sometimes the arms and legs. The electrodes detect and record information about heart activity and electrical impulses in the heart. This information is displayed on a screen or printed out to determine if you are having or have had a heart attack.
- Blood test - Certain enzymes enter the bloodstream after a heart attack, and blood tests can measure these enzyme levels to determine if someone had a heart attack
- Echocardiogram - A doctor uses a wand-like instrument that emits ultrasound waves to produce computerized images of the heart in motion. This enables the doctor to detect structural or blood flow issues within the heart, as well as damage in the heart due to a heart attack.
- Angiogram - A thin tube called a catheter is fed through a blood vessel to the heart and injects a liquid dye into the bloodstream. X-ray images are then used to view the dye and detect artery blockages and blood flow issues that would cause a heart attack.
- Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - Uses a magnetic field and radio waves generated from a computer to create images of the heart
Regular check-ups with a doctor will help to detect conditions that may lead to a heart attack. You can also learn about preventative measures, such as lifestyle changes, to help lower your risk.
How are Heart Attacks Treated?
TreatmentsA heart attack is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. More heart tissue is damaged or dies each minute after the attack. For this reason, urgent care is required to restore oxygen levels and blood flow to minimize damage. Heart attack treatment methods include:
Medication
- Aspirin is an antiplatelet medication, which means that it prevents platelets in the bloodstream from grouping together to form a clot. This helps blood to move more quickly through narrowed arteries. Read more about taking aspirin to prevent a heart attack.
- Other blood thinners include anticoagulants such as heparin that slow down the body's ability to clot blood
- Thrombolytic medications are medications administered intravenously within 12 hours after a heart attack. They can break up blood clots blocking blood flow to the heart.
- Beta-blockers medications can limit damage to the heart muscle during a heart attack, and reduce the likelihood of future attacks. They reduce both heart rate and blood pressure.
- ACE inhibitors are angiotensin-converting enzymes that relax the blood vessels to reduce blood pressure and lessen strain on the heart muscle
- Nitroglycerine is a medication that improves blood flow to the heart by widening blood vessels. It alleviates chest pain from a heart attack and can be taken in pill form.
- Morphine is administered if nitroglycerine does not fully alleviate chest pain
- Antiarrhythmic medications. Heart attacks can damage the heart muscle and cause arrhythmias, which are irregular or abnormal heart rhythms. Medication may be prescribed to prevent these irregularities.
Surgical options
- Coronary angioplasty - This procedure is meant to open up blood vessels that are blocked or narrowed. It involves inserting a catheter with a balloon on its tip into the blocked blood vessel. This balloon is then inflated, pressing the blood clot or plaque against the artery's sides, allowing blood flow to increase. A stent can be placed in the blood vessel afterward to keep it open.
- Coronary artery bypass surgery - Also known as open-heart surgery, this procedure allows for blood flow to be redirected around a blocked artery in your heart. Doctors use a blood vessel taken from another part of the body and connect it so that blood flow can be rechanneled around the blockage. Sometimes, this procedure is done immediately after a heart attack, while in other cases, it is performed a few days later.
Other nonsurgical options
- Oxygen therapy - Patients who struggle to breathe after a heart attack may be given supplementary oxygen to increase oxygen levels in the blood and lessen the strain on the heart. This oxygen can be delivered using nasal prongs (tubes that bring oxygen to the nostrils) or a mask over the nose and mouth.
- Cardiac rehabilitation - This recovery program is for patients who have suffered a heart attack or another heart condition requiring cardiac surgery. A team of experts, including exercise specialists, nutritionists, counselors, and physical therapists, will guide you in healthy lifestyle habits, including a nutritious diet, physical activity, stress management, quitting smoking, and more. These programs can occur in the hospital, at home, or both.
- Dietary changes - Your doctor may recommend that you seek out or avoid certain types of foods to reduce the risk of another heart attack. A heart-healthy diet would include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, nuts and seeds, and plant-based oils. You should avoid foods high in fat, sugar, and/or sodium.
FAQs
FAQsWhat does a heart attack feel like?
Experiencing a heart attack will often cause discomfort, pressure, or pain in the chest that can spread through the shoulder, arm, back, neck, or jaw. You may also experience dizziness, fatigue, lightheadedness, nausea, and shortness of breath. If you or someone else is experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, contact 911 immediately.
How long does a heart attack last?
The duration of a heart attack—and the extend of damage it causes—will vary from person to person.
Which arm hurts during a heart attack?
Left arm pain is a common symptom of angina. Heart attack symptoms can manifest as pain in the arm (more common in the left), chest, upper abdomen, jaw, neck, and shoulder. The pain is usually prolonged and unrelenting.
What are the four silent signs of a heart attack?
The four signs of a silent heart attack are:
- Chest pain, pressure, fullness, or discomfort
- Discomfort in other areas of the body, such as the arms, neck, back, stomach, or jaw
- Dizziness and shortness of breath
- Cold sweats and feelings of nausea
These symptoms can vary based on the individual, and it’s important to seek medical attention if you are experiencing them.
How do you know if you're having a heart attack?
Heart attacks are often marked by chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, pain in one or both arms, the shoulder, back, neck, or jaw, and feelings of weakness or fatigue. You may also feel lightheaded, dizzy, nauseous, or break out in cold sweats. If you are experiencing these symptoms, call 911 immediately.
What is your heart rate during a heart attack?
During a heart attack, your heart rate may increase, decrease, or remain the same depending on the individual and the circumstances surrounding the heart attack. The average heart rate for an adult is 60-100 beats per minute, and any significant change in this should be addressed immediately. Alone, a change in heart rate is not necessarily an indication of a heart attack. If you are experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, call 911 immediately.
Trust NewYork-Presbyterian for Heart Disease Treatment
The heart specialists at NewYork-Presbyterian understand all aspects of heart health, from initial symptoms to long-term treatment needs. We’re here to guide you every step of the way, from diagnosis to rehabilitation. Schedule an appointment with one of our experts today.
If you feel that you or someone else is experiencing a heart attack, please call 911.