Heart Attack Treatments

Treatment

Treatment includes:

Oxygen
Pain-relief medications (such as morphine)
Nitrate medications
Aspirin and other antiplatelet agents
Beta-blocking and/or ACE inhibitor medications (frequently given)
Anti-anxiety medications
Clot-dissolving agents (thrombolytics)—Within the first six hours after a heart attack, you may be given medications to break up blood clots in the coronary arteries.
- Other medicines that may be given include those that block the function of platelets (called platelet IIb/IIIa receptor blockers).
Cholesterol-lowering medications (eg, statin drugs)

Surgery

If you have severe blockages, you may need surgery. Surgery includes:

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)
Atherectomy
Balloon angioplasty with or without stenting

According to a review, patients who received CABG had more angina relief and less need for another, similar procedure. This is compared to those who received percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). PCI involves techniques using balloon angioplasty or coronary stenting .

Physical or Rehabilitative Therapy

During recovery , you may need physical or rehabilitative therapy to help you regain your strength.

Treatment for Depression

You may feel depressed after having a heart attack. Therapy and medication can help relieve depression .

If you have a heart attack, follow your doctor's instructions .

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2026 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.