About Heart Attack
Key Highlights
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Immediate restoration of blood flow to the heart muscle is critical to save lives and preserve heart function.Advanced interventions like angioplasty and stenting can quickly open blocked arteries, minimizing long-term damage.Comprehensive post-attack care and rehabilitation significantly reduce the risk of future cardiac events.Early treatment improves survival rates and quality of life, allowing many patients to return to normal activities.
Who is this surgery for?
- Chest pain or pressure (angina) that is severe, crushing, or lasts more than a few minutes.
- Pain radiating to the arm, neck, jaw, shoulder, or back.
- Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort.
- Nausea, lightheadedness, or a cold sweat.
- Abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) findings showing ST-segment elevation (STEMI) or other ischemic changes.
- Elevated levels of cardiac biomarkers (troponin) in the blood, indicating heart muscle damage.
How to prepare
- In an emergency, immediate action is key: call for an ambulance; do not drive yourself.
- In a hospital setting, preparation involves rapid assessment: an ECG, blood tests, and a physical exam.
- An intravenous (IV) line is started for administering emergency medications and fluids.
- The patient may be given aspirin and other antiplatelet drugs to thin the blood.
- Consent for potential emergency procedures like cardiac catheterization is obtained swiftly from the patient or family.
Risks & possible complications
- Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), which can be life-threatening.
- Heart failure due to significant damage to the heart muscle.
- Cardiogenic shock, a severe condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood.
- Damage to the heart valves or rupture of the heart muscle.
- Blood clots that can lead to stroke or pulmonary embolism.
- Complications from procedures like bleeding, infection, or allergic reaction to contrast dye or medication.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial recovery involves close monitoring in a Coronary Care Unit (CCU) or step-down unit.
- Cardiac rehabilitation, a supervised program of exercise and education, is crucial for strengthening the heart and preventing future events.
- Lifestyle modifications are essential, including a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, smoking cessation, and stress management.
- Long-term medication is typically required, such as aspirin, statins, beta-blockers, and ACE inhibitors.
- Regular follow-up appointments with a cardiologist are necessary to monitor heart health and adjust treatment.
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Typical hospital stay: 5-10 days
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Expected recovery time: 6-8 weeks for basic recovery; 3-6 months for full rehabilitation
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering heart attack in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for heart attack in India include Miot Hospital Chennai, Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, Manipal Hospital Dhakuria, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform heart attack. MediFyr helps you compare cardiologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for heart attack compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | INR 150 Thousand – 800 Thousand | 5-10 days | ~ 6-8 weeks for basic recovery; 3-6 months for full rehabilitation | Know More |
| Turkey | TRY 525 Thousand – 2.8 Million | 5-10 days | ~ 6-8 weeks for basic recovery; 3-6 months for full rehabilitation | Know More |
Top hospitals for Heart Attack in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated cardiology teams and experience managing patients undergoing heart attack.
Priya Khan, a 48-year-old high school...
Priya Khan, a 48-year-old high school principal and mother of two, had always been the pillar of her family and school community. For weeks, she dismissed her fatigue and occasional jaw tightness as stress. While preparing for a major parent-teacher conference, she was struck by a crushing pressure in her chest, radiating down her left arm, accompanied by nausea and cold sweat. Her husband called 911. At the hospital, Dr. Evans, the cardiologist, diagnosed a significant ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) caused by a blocked left anterior descending artery. He recommended an emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) – a stent placement. Priya, terrified of leaving her children, consented. The procedure was swift; she was awake but sedated. A drug-eluting stent was placed, restoring blood flow. After two days in the Cardiac Care Unit and a week of cardiac rehab, she regained strength. Emotionally, she shifted from feeling invincible and guilty for 'neglecting' her health to being profoundly grateful and committed to lifestyle changes, viewing her recovery as a second chance to be present for her family.
Cardiologists for Heart Attack
Explore experienced cardiologists who regularly perform heart attack and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 22 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 8 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 10 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 9 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 29 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 24 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 13 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 7 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 12 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 21 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
- 20 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 20 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 22 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 18 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 33 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 55 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 25 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 35 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala