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Heart Attack: Treatment and Diagnosis

Heart attack—also known as myocardial infarction—is a serious occurrence that can't be precisely predicted, even among people with known risk factors. As a result, a heart attack diagnosis almost always occurs as an emergency. Treatment for a heart attack focuses on restoring blood flow to the heart blood vessels as fast as possible to minimize permanent damage.

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How is a heart attack diagnosed?

If you experience symptoms of a heart attack, you should call 911 immediately. A heart attack is a medical emergency and requires immediate care. The doctors who evaluate you will perform tests for a heart attack, which could include blood tests, physical examinations, and heart testing with an electrocardiogram (EKG).

A test called an electrocardiogram (or "EKG") is usually the first test doctors will perform if they suspect a heart attack. EKG is a fast, painless procedure where doctors attach small electrical sensors to your chest. These sensors monitor the electrical activity in your heart in real-time, allowing doctors to see how well your heart is working.

In addition to helping confirm a heart attack diagnosis, it can even identify the type of myocardial infarction, allowing doctors to choose the most effective heart attack treatment for you.

One way that doctors make a heart attack diagnosis is with a blood test. When you have a heart attack, specific proteins from the heart—referred to as "cardiac injury markers"—end up in the bloodstream. Doctors can perform a blood check for a heart attack that looks for these cardiac markers as evidence.

Treating a heart attack

A heart attack or myocardial infarction occurs when something—usually a fatty deposit rupture or blood clot—blocks blood flow to the heart. Treatment for heart attacks focuses on restoring blood flow as quickly as possible to minimize damage to the heart. Depending on the severity and type of the blockage, the health of the patient, and other factors, doctors may choose to treat heart attacks with medication or surgery.

All treatments for myocardial infarctions currently in progress require professional medical supervision. There is no way to perform heart attack emergency treatment at home. 

Many prescription drugs can help treat a heart attack. Some help restore blood flow to the heart in the emergency phase of a heart attack:

  • Beta-blockers: These medicines slow the heartbeat and lower blood pressure. They can help reduce permanent damage from your heart attack.
  • Blood thinners: Blood thinning medications make the blood less likely to form clots and make it easier for blood to pass through or around the blockage.
  • Nitroglycerin: Nitroglycerin widens the arteries, creating more space for the blood to flow.
  • Thrombolytics: Thrombolytics can break up blood clots, potentially relieving the blockage altogether.

Other drugs used in heart attack treatment manage symptoms, reduce strain on the heart, or help prevent future heart attacks:

  • Antiarrhythmics: Heart attacks can cause irregular heartbeats called arrhythmia. These drugs help your heart maintain a normal, healthy rhythm.
  • Blood pressure drugs: A class of drugs called ACE inhibitors can lower blood pressure and reduce strain on the heart.
  • Pain medication: Morphine is commonly used to reduce chest pain during a heart attack.
  • Statins: Statins lower blood cholesterol, a substance that can build up to form blockages in the arteries. Statin use can help reduce your risk of future heart attacks.

Often, a heart attack requires surgery to clear the blockage in the heart.

Many blockages can be resolved with a minimally invasive catheter procedure called angioplasty or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In this procedure, the cardiologist passes a very thin tube with a tiny balloon through your arteries to the heart. Inflating the balloon can push the plaque against the artery wall, creating more space for blood to flow. The doctor may then place a device called a stent that holds the artery open to maximize blood flow.

More severe blockages require a type of open-heart surgery called bypass surgery. In this procedure, the surgeon uses blood vessel tissue from another part of the body to create an alternative path for the blood to reach the heart.

After treatment, you'll usually need to make lifestyle changes to protect your heart and reduce your risk of another heart attack. Good habits include:

  • Eating a healthy diet: Lowering your intake of salt, sugar, fat, alcohol, and caffeine can improve your heart health. Include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and choose lean proteins. Maintaining a healthy weight is especially important after a heart attack to support long-term recovery and heart health.
  • Getting enough exercise: Regular physical activity is crucial for cardiovascular health. Talk to your doctor about an exercise plan that fits your condition. After a heart attack, we often recommend a structured cardiac rehab program with supervised exercise, especially in the early stages of recovery.
  • Reducing stress: Psychological stress can raise blood pressure and strain the heart. Learn to manage stress with techniques like meditation and breathing.
  • Managing other conditions: Many conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, affect your heart health. Keep other conditions under control to help your heart.
  • Monitoring your heart: After a heart attack, you should pay extra attention to your heart health and risk factors. Schedule regular check-ups and talk to your doctor about risk factors and other heart-related issues you may have.
  • Taking medications: You may need to take medications for your heart after a heart attack. For example, if your heart attack was caused by high cholesterol, taking statins can make you less likely to have another heart attack.

Symptoms & Signs of a Heart Attack

Did you know that the signs and symptoms of a heart attack are different in men and women? DaMarcus Baymon, MD, emergency medicine physician, explains what to do if someone is having a heart attack.

Surviving a heart attack

The odds of surviving a heart attack are good. A 2022 study showed one-year survival rates of almost 90% and a seven-year survival rate of 74%.

How long is heart attack recovery?

Heart attack recovery can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. It depends on factors including the severity of the heart attack, the extent of permanent damage, your treatment plan, and your health and activity level before the heart attack.

FAQs about heart attack treatment and diagnosis

The fastest test for heart attack diagnosis is an electrocardiogram, also called an ECG or EKG. This painless test measures heart activity and takes about five minutes.

Yes. Doctors can use blood tests to look for specific proteins, known as cardiac injury markers, in the bloodstream. The presence of these proteins can help doctors diagnose a heart attack.

Yes. An electrocardiogram, often shortened to ECG or EKG, uses electrodes to measure the heart's electrical activity. The information from the EKG can tell a doctor whether you have a heart attack and, if so, what kind it was.

No. The Apple Watch's ECG feature is FDA-approved to detect atrial fibrillation, a different heart condition, but it can't detect a heart attack.

Request an appointment

Request an appointment with a Mass General Brigham Heart specialist. The call center is available Monday–Friday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm ET. Our dedicated team is committed to providing expert care for your cardiac needs. Please call us to determine the care that is best for you. 

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