Heart Attack Treatment (cont.)
Medical Author:
Daniel Lee Kulick, MD, FACC, FSCAI
Daniel Lee Kulick, MD, FACC, FSCAIDr. Kulick received his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Southern California, School of Medicine. He performed his residency in internal medicine at the Harbor-University of California Los Angeles Medical Center and a fellowship in the section of cardiology at the Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center. He is board certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiology. Medical Editor:
Jay W. Marks, MD
Jay W. Marks, MDJay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. In this Article
 Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitorsAngiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, another class of blood vessel dilators, often are given orally after a large heart attack to improve the healing of heart muscle. Examples of ACE inhibitors include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Zestril and Prinivil), and ramipril (Altace). These medications lower the blood pressure and reduce the workload of the heart, thereby helping the damaged heart muscle to recover. They are especially helpful in patients who have recovered from heart attacks but have high blood pressure, heart failure, major damage to the left ventricle, and diabetes mellitus. For additional information, please see the ACE Inhibitors article. Beta blockersBeta blockers such as propranolol (Inderal), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), and atenolol (Tenormin) usually are given early during a heart attack and are continued long-term. Beta blockers antagonize the action of adrenaline and relieve stress on the muscles of the heart. Beta blockers decrease the workload of the heart by slowing the heart rate and decreasing the force of contraction of heart muscle. Decreasing the workload decreases the demand for oxygen by the heart and limits the amount of damage to the heart muscle. Long-term administration of beta blockers following a heart attack has been shown to improve survival and reduce the risk of future heart attacks. Beta blockers also improve survival among patients with heart attacks by decreasing the incidence of life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms, for example, ventricular fibrillation. Beta blockers can be given intravenously in the hospital and then can be taken orally for long-term treatment. The side effects of beta blockers are wheezing (worsening of breathing in patients with asthma), abnormally slow heart rate, and exacerbation of heart failure (especially in patients with significant damage to their heart muscle); however, in patients with chronic heart failure, beta blockers have recently been demonstrated to be helpful in decreasing symptoms and prolonging life. For more, please read the Beta Blockers article. Reviewed by Jay W. Marks, MD on 8/24/2012 Patient CommentsViewers share their comments
Heart Attack Treatment - Aspirin
Question: Do you take aspirin to prevent a first or second heart attack? Please share your experience.
Heart Attack Treatment - Types of Treatment
Question: What kinds of treatment, procedures, surgeries, or medications have you received after experiencing a heart attack?
Heart Attack Treatment - Angiography or Angioplasty
Question: Please discuss your experience with coronary angiography and PTCA.
Heart Attack Treatment - Coronary Artery Bypass
Question: Did you have coronary artery bypass surgery? Please share your story.
Heart Attack Treatment - Preventing a Second Attack
Question: If you've had a heart attack, what lifestyle changes have you made to prevent a second heart attack?
Heart Attack - Experience
Question: Please describe your experience with a heart attack.
Heart Attack - Symptoms
Question: What were your heart attack symptoms?
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