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A heart attack (also called an AMI or acute myocardial infarction) happens when the arteries leading to the heart become blocked and the blood supply is slowed or stopped. When the heart muscle can't get the oxygen and nutrients it needs, the part of the heart tissue that is affected may die.
The government recently outlined the best medical practices for treating a heart attack. These practices have been proven to provide the best results for the most patients. The below percentages includes only patients whose history and condition indicate the treatment is appropriate. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about your treatment.
Acute Myocardial
Infarction |
St. Luke's Hospital |
Missouri Average |
National Average |
| Aspirin at Arrival |
96% |
91% |
93% |
| Aspirin at Discharge |
96% |
86% |
90% |
| ACE (Anglotensin Converting Enzyme) Inhibitor or ARB (Angiotensin Receptor Blockers) for LVSD (Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction) |
84% |
81% |
83% |
| Beta Blocker at Arrival |
96% |
83% |
87% |
| Beta Blocker at Discharge |
93% |
88% |
90% |
| Smoking Cessation Advice/Counseling |
98% |
93% |
89% |
| Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) within 90 minutes |
* |
60% |
55% |
|
*The number of cases is too small in this time period to reliably predict hospital performance
Aspirin at Arrival: The heart is a muscle that gets oxygen through blood vessels. Sometimes blood clots can block these blood vessels, and the heart can't get enough oxygen. This can cause a heart attack. Chewing an aspirin as soon as symptoms of a heart attack begin may help reduce the severity of the attack. Patients should receive aspirin within 24 hours after arriving at the hospital unless taking aspirin will be harmful (such as if the person has active bleeding).
Aspirin at Discharge: Blood clots can block vessels. Aspirin can help prevent blood clots from forming or help dissolve blood clots that have formed. Following a heart attack, continued use of aspirin may help reduce the risk of another heart attack.
ACE (Anglotensin Converting Enzyme) Inhibitor or ARB (Angiotensin Receptor Blockers) for LVSD (Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction): ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors and ARBs (angiotensin receptor blockers) are medicines used to treat patients with heart failure and are particularly helpful in those patients with heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) which refers to a decreased function (squeezing ability) of the left side of the heart. Early treatment with ACE inhibitors and ARBs in patients who have heart failure symptoms or decreased heart function after a heart attack can also reduce their risk of death from future heart attacks.
Beta Blocker at Arrival: Beta blockers are a type of medicine that is used to lower blood pressure, treat chest pain (angina) and heart failure, and help to prevent a heart attack. Beta blockers relieve the stress on the heart by slowing the heart rate and reducing the force with which the heart muscle contracts (to pump blood). Most heart attack patients should be given a beta blocker within 24 hours of arriving at the hospital.
Beta Blocker at Discharge: Beta blockers are a type of medicine that is used to lower blood pressure, treat chest pain (angina) and heart failure, and to help prevent a heart attack. Beta blockers relieve the stress on your heart by slowing the heart rate and reducing the force with which your heart muscles contract to pump blood. They also help keep blood vessels from constricting in your heart, brain, and body. If you have a heart attack, you should get a prescription for a beta blocker before you leave the hospital, if it is appropriate for you.
Smoking Cessation Advice/Counseling: Smoking increases your risk for developing blood clots and heart disease, which can result in a heart attack, heart failure or stroke. Smoking is also linked to lung disease and cancer, and can cause premature death. It is important for your health that you get information to help you quit smoking before you leave the hospital.
PCI (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) within 120 Minutes of Arrival: The heart is a muscle that gets oxygen through blood vessels. Sometimes blood clots can block these blood vessels, and the heart can't get enough oxygen. This can cause a heart attack. Percutaneous Coronary Interventions (PCI) are procedures that open blocked vessels and help prevent further heart muscle damage. Improving blood flow to your heart as quickly as possible lessens the damage to your heart muscle and can also increase your chances of surviving a heart attack. There are three procedures commonly described by the term PCI: angioplasty (a balloon is inflated to open the blood vessel); stenting (a small wire tube called a stent is placed in the blood vessel to hold it open); and atherectomy (a blade or laser cuts through and removes the blockage). Doctors may perform PCI, or give medicine to open the blockage, and in some cases, may do both.
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