Myocardial Infarction

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Your heart muscle needs a constant supply of oxygen-rich blood. The blood vessels that supply blood to your heart muscle are called coronary arteries. Sometimes one or more of the coronary arteries become too narrowed, completely blocked, or spasms (tightens). This causes part of the heart muscle to not get enough oxygen-rich blood that it needs to do its work. If the muscle goes too long without oxygen, it starts to die. This is called a myocardial (meye-oh-KAR-dee-al) infarction (in-FARK-shun), which is also called an MI or a heart attack. Treatments for an MI may include heart medicines, oxygen, and special procedures such as angioplasty or heart surgery.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Keep a current list of your medicines: Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists. Use vitamins, herbs, or food supplements only as directed.
  
  
• Take your medicine as directed: Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him about any medicine allergies, and if you want to quit taking or change your medicine.
  
  
• Aspirin: You may need to take an aspirin a day to help prevent heart problems. Aspirin helps to prevent blood clots from forming and causing blood flow problems in the heart. If caregivers want you to take aspirin daily, do not take acetaminophen or ibuprofen instead. Do not take more or less aspirin than caregivers say to take. If you are on other blood thinner medicine, ask your caregiver before you take aspirin for any reason.
  
  
• Blood thinners: Blood thinners are medicines that help prevent blood clots from forming. Clots can cause strokes, heart attacks, and death. Blood thinners make it more likely for you to bleed or bruise. If you are taking a blood thinner:
  
  
  • Watch for bleeding from your gums or nose. Watch for blood in your urine and bowel movements. Use a soft washcloth on your skin and a soft toothbrush on your teeth. This can keep your skin and gums from bleeding. If you shave, use an electric shaver. Do not play contact sports, such as football.
    
    
  • Be aware of what medicines you take. Many medicines cannot be used when taking medicine to thin your blood. Tell your dentist and other caregivers that you take blood-thinning medicine. Wear or carry medical alert information that says you are taking this medicine.
    
    
  • Take this medicine exactly as your caregiver tells you. Tell your caregiver right away if you forget to take the medicine, or if you take too much. You may need to have regular blood tests while on this medicine. Your caregiver uses these tests to decide how much medicine is right for you.
    
    
  • Talk to your caregiver about your diet. This medicine works best when you eat about the same amount of vitamin K every day. Vitamin K is found in green leafy vegetables and other foods, such as cooked peas and kiwifruit.
  
  
• Cholesterol medicine: This type of medicine is given to help decrease (lower) the amount of cholesterol (fat) in your blood. Cholesterol medicine works best if you also exercise and eat a healthy diet that is low in certain kinds of fats. Some cholesterol medicines may cause liver problems. You may need to have blood taken for tests while using this medicine.
  
  
• Heart medicine: This medicine is given to strengthen or regulate your heartbeat. It also may help your heart in other ways. Talk with your caregiver to find out what your heart medicine is and why you are taking it.
  
  
• Nitroglycerin: This medicine may also be called nitro.
  
  
  • Nitroglycerin opens the arteries to your heart so the heart gets more oxygen. After taking nitroglycerin, your pain may get better or go away. Nitroglycerin may give you a headache or make you dizzy. Make sure you are sitting or lying down when you take your nitroglycerin. Also, get up slowly after taking nitroglycerin.
    
    
  • You may get your nitroglycerin as a pill. It also can be put on your body as a patch or paste. If you are taking nitroglycerin pills, put the nitroglycerin pill under your tongue. It slowly melts and moves into your blood. If you are using a nitroglycerin patch or paste, put the patch or paste on your chest, arm, or back. The medicine soaks through your skin and goes into your blood.
  
  
• When taking nitroglycerin or other nitrate medicines: Some drugs used to treat certain sexual or impotence problems may interact with nitrate medicines such as nitroglycerin. Taking these medicines within 24 hours of taking a nitrate-containing medicine can kill you. Some heart or blood pressure medicines may contain nitrate without you knowing it. Ask your caregiver if any of your medicines are nitrates.

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

Activity:

• Cardiac rehabilitation: This is a monitored exercise and education program that can help your return to an active lifestyle.
  
  
• Driving, working, and lifting: Do not drive or go back to work until your caregiver says it is OK. Also, do not lift anything over 10 pounds or do any hard activity (including housework) until your caregiver says it is OK.
  
  
• Exercise: Exercise makes the heart stronger, lowers blood pressure, and helps keep you healthy. Begin to exercise slowly and do more as you get stronger. Talk with your primary healthcare provider before you start an exercise program.
  
  
• Rest: Rest when you feel it is needed. Slowly start to do more each day. Return to your daily activities as directed.

How can I live a heart-healthy lifestyle?

• Good nutrition for your heart: Get enough calories, protein, vitamins, and minerals to help prevent poor nutrition and muscle wasting. You may be told to eat foods low in cholesterol or sodium (salt). You also may be told to limit saturated and trans fats. Do eat foods that contain healthy fats, such as walnuts, salmon, and canola and soybean oils. Eat foods that help protect the heart, including plenty of fruits and vegetables, nuts, and sources of fiber. Ask what a healthy weight is for you. Set goals to reach and stay at that weight.
  
  
• Do not smoke: Smoking causes lung cancer and other long-term lung diseases. It increases your risk of many cancer types. Smoking also increases your risk of blood vessel disease, heart attack, and vision disorders. Not smoking may help prevent such symptoms as headaches and dizziness for yourself and those around you. Smokers have shorter lifespans than nonsmokers.
  
  
• Manage your stress: Stress may slow healing and lead to illness. Learn ways to control stress, such as relaxation, deep breathing, and music. Talk to someone about things that upset you.
  
  
• Control other health problems: If you have other illnesses like diabetes or high blood pressure, you need to control them. Ask your caregiver for more information about controlling any other health problems you may have.

For more information:

• Having an MI is a life-changing event for you and your family. Accepting that you have a heart problem is hard. You and those close to you may feel angry, sad, or frightened. These feelings are normal. Talk to your caregivers, family, or friends about your feelings. Let them help you. Encourage those close to you to talk to your caregiver about how things are at home. Your caregiver can help your family better understand how to support a person after having an MI.
  
  
• You may want to join a support group. This is a group of people who also have heart problems. Ask your caregiver for the names and numbers of support groups in your area. You and your family may also want to learn CPR. A CPR class teaches how to help a person who is not breathing or has no heartbeat. Contact the following for more information about heart disease or CPR:
  • American Heart Association National Center
    7272 Greenville Avenue
    Dallas , TX 75231-4596
    Phone: 1- 800 - 242-8721
    Web Address: http://www.americanheart.org
    
  • American Red Cross National Headquarters
    2025 E Street NW
    Washington , DC 20006
    Phone: 1- 202 - 303-4498
    Web Address: http://www.redcross.org
    
  • National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
    Health Information Center
    P.O. Box 30105
    Bethesda , MD 20824-0105
    Phone: 1- 301 - 592-8573
    Web Address: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/infoctr/index.htm
    

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• Your skin is itchy or you get a rash. Your medicine may be causing these symptoms. This may mean you are allergic to your medicine.
  
  
• You have angina that is happening more frequently, lasting longer, or causing worse pain.
  
  
• You are dizzy or nauseated (upset stomach) after taking your medicine.
  
  
• You have trouble breathing while resting.
  
  
• You have new or worsening swelling in your feet or ankles.
  
  
• You are bleeding from your gums or nose, or have blood in your urine or BMs.
  
  
• You have any questions or concerns about your illness or medicine.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You are using blood thinning medicine and are bleeding. First, apply direct pressure to the area for 10 minutes. If the bleeding does not stop, call 9-1-1 for help.
  
  
• Never drive yourself when you are having chest pain. If you have any of the following symptoms, Call 9-1-1 or 0 (operator) to get to the nearest hospital or clinic. Rescue workers can treat you on the way to the hospital. This may decrease your risk of permanent heart damage, and may even save your life. Do not ignore chest discomfort.
  
  
  • You are having new or worsening chest pain, or new pain that wakes you from sleep.
    
    
  • You are sweating, have nausea (upset stomach), or are having trouble breathing with your chest pain.
    
    
  • Chest pain that lasts longer than 15 minutes, even after you rest.
    
    
  • Chest pain that does not go away after taking your nitroglycerin or other chest pain medicine as directed.
    
    
  • You faint (pass out), feel like you may faint, or feel dizzy.
    
    
  • You lose feeling in your face, arms or legs, or suddenly feel weak.
    
    
  • You have new trouble seeing or speaking.

Copyright © 2011. Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Myocardial Infarction (Discharge Care)