If you or someone around you is experiencing signs of a heart attack, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, or discomfort in the arms, neck, jaw or back, call 911 immediately. Do not wait or try to drive yourself to the hospital. Every second counts, and emergency responders can begin life-saving treatment on the way to the hospital.
An ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a type of heart attack that primarily affects the lower chambers of the heart. Like all heart attacks, a STEMI heart attack is a life-threatening medical condition requiring immediate treatment.
If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, call 911 immediately, as prompt evaluation and treatment could prevent permanent damage to the heart or even death.
Each year in the United States, more than 800,000 people experience a heart attack. Most of those heart attacks, which occur when blood flow to the heart is limited or completely blocked, are what’s known as NSTEMI, or non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction.
STEMIs are considered a more dangerous and life-threatening type of acute coronary syndrome. About 38 percent of people who go to the hospital for acute coronary syndrome are diagnosed with STEMI.
The difference between the two types of heart attacks is that STEMI heart attacks result from a complete blockage of a coronary artery. NSTEMI, on the other hand, is more commonly associated with narrowing of a coronary artery or blood clots that block blood flow to the heart muscle.
Because a STEMI heart attack completely cuts off the flow of oxygenated blood to the heart, it causes heart muscle damage, specifically in the ventricles. The ventricles, which are the lower chambers of the heart, are responsible for pumping blood to other parts of the body. When the ventricles are damaged, that essential function is disrupted.
Immediate treatment is needed to restore blood flow to the heart through the coronary arteries and prevent further damage.
When a STEMI heart attack occurs, have peace of mind in knowing that the team of experts at the UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute can provide the immediate diagnosis and treatment you need.
While there are differences in how NSTEMI and STEMI heart attacks affect the heart, they cause similar symptoms. Symptoms can include:
- Chest pain, pressure or discomfort
- Cold sweat
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Pain or discomfort in the arms, shoulders, neck, abdomen, jaw, neck or back
- Shortness of breath
Women often have different and less severe symptoms than men. They may never have chest pain, and most often experience discomfort in the shoulder, arm, neck or back. Or, they may experience nausea, fatigue or severe headache.
If you have these symptoms or think you may be having a heart attack, it is important to call 911 right away. Do not try to drive yourself to the hospital; instead, wait for EMS to respond.
In the past, heart attacks were often fatal. Today, thanks to innovations in the diagnosis and treatment of the condition, many people live long and healthy lives after a heart attack.
While STEMI heart attacks are considered more dangerous than NSTEMI heart attacks because of the way they damage the heart, it’s still possible to survive and thrive after a STEMI.
The key is to seek immediate medical treatment when experiencing any symptoms of a potential heart attack. The faster blood flow is restored to the heart’s ventricles, the less damage is done.
While you can’t always prevent a heart attack, you may be able to delay or reduce your risk. The best way to do so is to stay as healthy as possible.
- Get regular checkups to screen for conditions that can affect heart health.
- Work with your healthcare provider to properly manage chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure or heart disease.
- Make lifestyle changes to lower your risk for having a heart attack.
Lifestyle changes
Lifestyle changes are often recommended to help patients manage symptoms, reduce complications and improve heart health. Talk with your provider about how these heart-healthy changes can help.
- Eat a healthy diet. Enjoy plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean meats, nuts, beans, fish and whole grains. Limit sodium, added sugars and unhealthy fats.
- If you smoke, quit. Smoking can increase your risk for heart attack and stroke. Avoid vaping and secondhand smoke as well.
- Keep updated on vaccines. Ask your provider about flu, COVID-19 and other vaccines that can help you avoid illness.
- Limit alcohol. Men should have no more than two drinks per day, and women should aim for no more than one drink each day.
- Manage other health problems. Take medicine for high blood pressure and diabetes and follow your provider’s guidance.
- Sleep well every night. Aim for seven to nine hours of good sleep per night.
- Stay physically active. Try to get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week. Talk to your provider about what exercises are good for you. Be sure to watch for signs that your heart is working too hard. If you become short of breath or dizzy while exercising, stop and rest.
- Watch your weight. Take steps to reach and maintain a healthy weight.
If you have any known risk factors for a heart attack, such as a personal or family history of heart disease, talk with your primary care provider about other steps you can take to lower your risk.
Having coronary artery disease is the most common cause of heart attacks, including STEMI heart attacks. Coronary artery disease, or CAD, occurs when a coronary artery is blocked or narrowed by a buildup of plaque. This type of artery supplies blood to the heart, so when the flow of blood is diminished or entirely blocked, it can damage the heart muscle.
Other risk factors include:
- Being 45 or older (men) or 55 or older (women)
- Being overweight or obese
- Eating a diet high in saturated fats
- Having a family medical history of early heart disease
- Having diabetes
- Having high blood pressure
- Having high cholesterol
- Having high triglycerides
- Not being physically active
- Smoking or using tobacco
Less commonly, bacterial or viral infections can also increase the risk of having a heart attack.
As the area’s most advanced emergency department — and home to the UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute — UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital is the preferred choice for patients experiencing emergency, life-threatening cardiac events. Whether you arrive by ambulance or are transferred from another hospital, you can rest assured that you are in the hands of the region’s most advanced interventional cardiology team.
By the time you get to the hospital via emergency transport, Emergency Medical Services or the team that facilitated your transfer will have shared your symptoms and any known diagnosis with our emergency department.
Patients experiencing heart attack symptoms bypass our emergency room and are taken to the cardiac catheterization lab to reduce the time it takes to start treatment. For heart patients taken to our emergency department, our team of emergency medicine doctors and interventional cardiologists are ready to provide imaging exams, bloodwork, additional tests or any needed emergency procedures.
Following emergency treatment, you may recover in our Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit before being transferred to your hospital room. Once you are ready to go home or to an inpatient rehabilitation hospital, you will be assigned a UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute cardiologist for any ongoing care needed.
Our interventional cardiology team helps patients regain good heart health every day. We also participate in clinical trials to enhance interventional cardiology treatment and management in the future.
Our team engages in trials to investigate new advances. Because of this, you have access to the latest treatment options available.
If you’re a candidate for an ongoing trial, your care team will discuss this option with you.
CONNECT WITH US ON
SOCIAL MEDIA
