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Heart Attack Treatment Center - Missoula, MT

Missoula Cardiologist Doctors for Heart Attack Treatment

Type of Physician: Cardiologist

What is a Cardiologist?

A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners are expert in diseases of the heart, lungs and blood vessels. They consult with surgeons on heart surgery, perform diagnostic procedures, and manage complex conditions such as heart attacks and arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeat).

Specialty: Cardiology

Common Name: Heart Doctor

Cardiologist Doctors in Missoula *

Cardiopulmonary Associates
Philip A Roper
601 W Spruce St
STE A
Missoula, MT 59802
(406) 329-2945

The Montana Heart Center
George T Bandow
2809 Great Northern Loop
STE 200
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 541-7000

The Montana Heart Center
William L Hull
2809 Great Northern Loop
STE 200
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 541-7000

The Montana Heart Center
Newton B Coutinho
2827 Fort Missoula Rd
Missoula, MT 59804
(406) 327-4670

The Montana Heart Center
Patricia A Kelly
2827 Fort Missoula Rd
Missoula, MT 59804
(406) 327-4670

Rocky Mountain Heart & Lung
William T Highfill
350 Heritage Way
STE 2100
Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 257-8992

Missoula, Montana

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Heart Attack Treatment

What is a heart attack?

A heart attack (also known as a myocardial infarction) is the death of heart muscle from the sudden blockage of a coronary artery by a blood clot. Coronary arteries are blood vessels that supply the heart muscle with blood and oxygen. Blockage of a coronary artery deprives the heart muscle of blood and oxygen, causing injury to the heart muscle. Injury to the heart muscle causes chest pain and pressure. If blood flow is not restored within 20 to 40 minutes, irreversible death of the heart muscle will begin to occur. Muscle continues to die for six to eight hours at which time the heart attack usually is "complete." The dead heart muscle is replaced by scar tissue.

Approximately one million Americans suffer a heart attack each year. Four hundred thousand of them die as a result of their heart attack.

Click here to view interactive photos of hearts that have suffered a heart attack.

How is a heart attack treated?

Treatment of heart attacks include:

  • Anti-platelet medications to prevent formation of blood clots in the arteries
  • Anti-coagulant medications to prevent growth of blood clots in the arteries
  • Coronary angiography with either percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) with or without stenting to open blocked coronary arteries
  • Clot-dissolving medications to open blocked arteries
  • Supplemental oxygen to increase the supply of oxygen to the heart's muscle
  • Medications to decrease the need for oxygen by the heart's muscle
  • Medications to prevent abnormal heart rhythms

The primary goal of treatment is to quickly open the blocked artery and restore blood flow to the heart muscle, a process called reperfusion. Once the artery is open, damage to heart muscle ceases, and the patient b...

Recommended Reading Related to Heart Attack Treatment

Triglycerides (Test) »

What are triglycerides?

Triglycerides are chemical compounds digested by the body to provide it with the energy for metabolism. Triglycerides are the most common form of fat that we digest, and are the main ingredient in vegetable oils and animal fats.

The triglyceride molecule is a form of the chemical glycerol (tri=three molecules of fatty acid + glyceride=glycerol) that contains three fatty acids. To be absorbed, these parts are broken apart in the small intestine, and afterwards are reassembled with cholesterol to form chylomicrons. This is the source of energy for cells in the body. Fat cells and liver cells are used as storage sites and release chylomicrons when the body needs the energy.

Elevated triglyceride levels are a risk factor for atherosclerosis, the narrowing of arteries with the buildup of fatty plaques that may lead to heart attack, stroke, and peripheral artery disease. Markedly elevated triglyceride levels may also cause fatty liver ...

Emergency Contact for Missoula

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Missoula Hospitals *

St Patrick Hospital
500 W Broadway
Missoula, MT 59802
(406)543-7271

Community Medical Center
2827 Fort Missoula Rd
Missoula, MT 59804
(406)728-4100

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