Treatment for an NSTEMI and Ways to Reduce Chances of an NSTEMI

NSTEMI, also known as non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (MI) is a type of heart attack. It causes less damage to a person’s heart unlike STEMI- the most common type of heart attack. An electrocardiogram or ECG is used by a doctor to determine if an NSTEMI or a STEMI has occurred in a person. Although damage to the ticker from an NSTEMI is less serious than that from a STEMI, nevertheless, any heart attack can be very frightening. The type of treatment is determined based on severity of an MI. If doctors suspect an NSTEMI, they will take a blood test and do an ECG.

Treatment:

NSTEMI treatment depends on how blocked the coronary artery is and severity of the heart attack itself and for that an individual will be given a GRACE score, which will decide if they are low, medium, or high risk. A doctor looks at a few factors like the age of the individual, the individual’s systolic blood pressure, their heart rate or heartbeat, whether there is an increase in their serum creatinine level, whether cardiac arrest had occurred on hospital admission, elevated cardiac marker, ST-segment deviation in their ECG, Killip class, or signs of heart failure from a physical exam- to find a person’s GRACE score. A doctor prescribes medication only if the GRACE score indicates a person is a low risk after an NSTEMI. Anticoagulants, antiplatelets, beta-blockers, nitrates, statins, angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), etc. are the drugs that are commonly given. A percutaneous coronary intervention or PCI, or a coronary artery bypass graft or CABG may be performed for individuals who are considered medium to high risk.

NSTEMI Symptoms:

It is very important to recognize NSTEMI symptoms. A person should immediately call 911 if he or she experience any of the symptoms of an NSTEMI, such as shortness of breath, excessive sweating, nausea, dizziness or a feeling of lightheadedness; pressure, tightness, or discomfort in the chest; pain or tightness in the jaw, neck, back, or stomach.

NSTEMI Diagnosis:

A blood test will show higher than normal levels of creatinine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB), troponin I, and troponin T if an NSTEMI has taken place. Apart from blood tests that are a good indication of whether a heart attack has occurred, an ECG must still be carried out which will show the patterns of ST segments (show the area of damage that has been done to the ticker), which can then be measured and analyzed.

Prevention Tips:

Here are a few steps that can be taken to reduce your risk of an NSTEMI:

1.      Quit smoking

2.      Maintain a healthy weight

3.      Manage stress levels

4.      Regularly exercise, at least 30 minutes 5 times a week.

5.      Limit foods that are high in saturated and trans fats

6.      Have a healthy, nutritious and balanced diet including fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and whole grains.

Diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure increase the risk of a heart attack, so a person having either of them should manage these conditions well. A person deemed to be at risk of having a heart attack should take necessary precautions, such as ensuring emergency contact numbers, a list of current medications and any allergens are handy whenever they are heading out or going away- to stay prepared in case a heart attack occurs.

Get trained in the life-saving CPR procedure and face out-of-hospital cardiac emergencies like a cardiac arrest or heart attack efficiently. At CPR Nashville, sign up for a course online or call on (615) 638-0005 to register for a CPR course.