Heart Attack 6

What Happens in the Hospital After the First 24 Hours of a Heart Attack

Depending upon how well the patient is doing, transfer to a telemetry floor is usually arranged on the second day. Unstable patients may remain in the CCU (Cardiac Care Unit) for one or more additional days.

If the patient is recovering acceptably, he or she is ambulated (walked) in the hallway and may be seen by the cardiac rehabilitation team. The patient and spouse or family are provided with information that helps them understand what happened during the heart attack and what preventive measures are needed to avoid a second one. Instructions about dietary restrictions and an exercise regimen are also given. Depending upon the severity of the heart attack and the promptness with which treatment was received, many patients are able to be discharged in 2 to 4 days. Smokers are encouraged to quit tobacco use and supportive measures are recommended.

Medications Prescribed After a Heart Attack

Many of the patient's home medicines (for example those used to treat high blood pressure, diabetes, etc) are continued. Traditionally, the majority of patients also receive daily aspirin and nitroglycerine for "PRN" on as-needed basis. If there are no contraindications, most patients are also discharged on a beta-blocker medicine. This helps reduce the risk of a second heart attack and sudden death. However, a beta-blocker may not be used in patients with very slow heart beat, asthma and heart failure. Instead, patients with heart failure or reduced heart function may be sent home on a medicine known as an ACE inhibitor which helps to reduce the workload of the heart. Patients with a high cholesterol level may be sent home on a medication to help control this problem.

Upon discharge, the patient will be given a follow-up appointment with the physician.

Heart Attack 1

Heart Attack 2

Heart Attack 3

Heart Attack 4

Heart Attack 5

Heart Attack 6