More than three quarters of a million Americans suffer their first heart attack annually. At an alarming rate of one attack every 34 seconds, heart attack has become tragic regularity in every American’s life. Plavix (clopidogrel bisulfate) is a very effective medication against the most severe STEMI type of heart attack.
Heart Attack
The first impression that the term “heart attack” brings to mind is someone falling down theatrically,
clutching at his or her heart and showing signs of massive discomfort. These dramatic looking heart attacks are literally called “movie heart attack”. Yet this type of attack is much lesser in percentage and many a times a person may not even know that he has suffered a heart attack.
In the United States, around 785,000 Americans suffer their first heart attack every year. Additionally another 470,000 American with a history of heart attack may have a second or next heart attack. Almost every 34 seconds, an American suffers an Attack. According to 2006 estimates, approximately 1 in 4 Americans has some kind of Heart ailment and it is estimated that in 2010 the US will bear a cost of more than $315 billion on heart disease related problems.
What causes a Heart Attack?
Heart attack (myocardial infraction) happens due to interruption of oxygen to heart muscle. Blood carries oxygen to the heart through the arteries. When these arteries are blocked, blood circulation is hampered and oxygen flow reduces. This can cause permanent or partial damage to heart muscle. Damage to heart muscle causes arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat reducing the heart’s pumping action.
Arteries get blocked by plaque formation. This condition is called as Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). Plaque can be made up of cholesterol and other cells. This plaque accumulates at certain positions on the internal walls of the arteries and when sufficiently big may end up blocking the artery completely, stopping oxygen rich fresh blood to the heart. Alternately, the plaque itself may break. Blood cells may stick to the ruptured plaque and form blood clots. If sufficiently big, these clots can block the arteries as well. This is the more common cause of artery blocking.
Heart attack may also take place if there is a sudden surge of emotional or physical distress.
(pic link - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/HeartAttack/HeartAttack_Causes.html)
Types of heart attack
There are three types of heart attack:
Unstable Angina - which is generally be treated by oral medication but if left untreated may lead to heart attack.
Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) – This is a mild heart attack, which is not recorded on an electrocardiogram (ECG) but any damage to heart muscle can be checked by chemical markers in the blood. Damage is minimal and artery blockage could be limited or short term.
ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) – This is the most dangerous form of heart attack with a major part of the heart being affected and severe consequences. Blockage is prolonged and the changes are easily recorded on ECG as well as noted through chemical markers.
Heart Attack treatments
There are various types of heart attack treatments available including:
• Medical Management
• Non-invasive Therapies
• Catheter Procedures
• Minimally Invasive & Robotically Assisted Surgery
• Traditional Surgery
• Supplements & Holistic Therapies
The most primary response to Heart Attack is bringing about changes in patient’s lifestyle. Patient should immediately stop smoking, regularly exercise as instructed by cardiologist, undertake diets that control cholesterol intake and reduce stress as much as possible. Patient should visit cardiologist regularly to keep tab on improvements in condition.
Decrease risk factors by not smoking, keeping cholesterol in check, exercising, managing stress and eating healthfully.
Medications – Plavix (clopidogrel bisulfate)
Different medications act differently to reduce stress on the heart. Artery width is increased by use of nitroglycerin; Clot formation is preventer by Aspirin; beta-blockers improve flow of blood; ace inhibitors increase survival chances from a heart attack, whereas lipid management medication prevents artery blockage by controlling cholesterol.
In case of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), which is a very severe case of Heart Attack, Plavix (clopidogrel bisulfate) is the most useful medication available. Plavix (Clopidogrel) is an anti-platelet drug, which prevents clot formation. It does not allow any subsequent obstacle in affected heart muscle thus reducing chances of further heart attack or stroke.
