Caring For A Heart Attack Teaching Plan

Caring for
a Heart
Attack
GRACE GINDLESPERGER
NURS7003- ROLE DEVELOPMENT
YOUNGSTOWN STATE UNIVERSITY
6/5/2024
Purpose
▪ Provide education on the anatomy behind a heart attack.

▪ Assist patients and their family on the next steps after being
diagnosed.
▪ Help educate those at high risk for reoccurring heart attacks on
ways to…
▪ manage cardiac health
▪ prevent future events
▪ identify early signs of heart attacks
Target Audience
▪ Adult patients newly diagnosed with a heart attack with or without

cardiac stenting or intervention.
▪ Adult patients admitted to the hospital for post heart attack
management.
▪ Adult patients at high risk for future cardiac events or
rehospitalization from cardiac complications post heart attack.
Objectives
▪ Identify the patient population in need of education on heart attack signs,

management, and prevention.
▪ Discuss the pathophysiology of a heart attack and the anatomy of coronary
arteries.
▪ Educate the patient on causes associated with heart attacks.
▪ Discuss early monitoring and signs of a heart attack.
▪ Educate the patient on treatment options, medication management, and
lifestyle changes post heart attack.
▪ Identify when the patient should seek help in the event of future cardiac
concerns.
Goals
The patient can identify early signs of a

heart attack.
The patient can explain what a heart attack
is.
The patient understands what treatment
options and medications are available to
them after a heart attack.
The patient can identify lifestyle
modifications to help prevent future
events.
The patient will verbalize when they should
seek medical assistance in the event of a
future heart attack.
What is a Heart Attack?
A heart attack is when there is a reduction or complete blockage of blood flow to the heart from
the coronary arteries. This can be further defined as either a STEMI or an NSTEMI.
STEMI NSTEMI
▪ ST-elevated myocardial infarction ▪ Non-ST- elevated myocardial infarction
▪ A complete and prolonged blockage of ▪ A transient or temporary occlusion of a
a coronary artery. coronary artery often caused by narrowing.
▪ Changes in your EKG, known as ST ▪ Elevated cardiac lab values without any EKG
elevation, and elevated cardiac lab changes are used to diagnosis this.
values are used to diagnosis this.
https://www.cvphysiology.com/CAD/CAD012
Coronary Artery Anatomy Simplified
The area of a heart attack determines what section of the

heart can be damaged.
• Left Main Coronary Artery (LMC) – delivers blood into the left
side of the heart. This artery has two branches that help supply
the left side of the heart.
• Circumflex Artery (LCx)
• Left Anterior Descending Artery (LAD)
• Right Coronary Artery (RAC) - delivers blood to the right side of

the heart.
• This artery also helps delivery blood to the area of the
heart that helps start each heart-beat.
https://www.lybrate.com/topic/coronary-arteries-image
What Causes a Heart Attack?
Heart attacks are caused by some form of blockage in a

coronary artery. The reason a blockage can happen varies.
• The most common cause is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD):

• A build up of plague in the arteries that either forms at the
sight of the heart attack or breaks off from another location
and gets stuck in one of the coronary arteries.
• Other causes include:

• A blood clot (emboli/thrombi)
• Coronary artery spasms
• Trauma to the coronary arteries
• Congenital coronary artery defects
• Conditions that narrow the coronary arteries or increase the
risk for developing blood clots.
Signs to Watch for in Men and Women
Signs for heart attacks can present differently between men and women. While any of these symptoms are
important to watch for, be aware that not all heart attacks look the same!
• Chest pain • Nausea and/or vomiting

• Shortness of Breath • Weakness and extreme fatigue
• Sweating • Indigestion/heartburn like pain
• Pain in the shoulder, jaw, • Sweating or cold sweats
neck, and/or back
Immediate Treatment Options
Some immediate treatment options are available when you arrive to the hospital after a heart attack and will depend on your
condition, other health concerns, and your Doctor’s recommendations:
• Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)- a stent placed in the coronary artery to help open it back up and return blood
flow to the heart.
• Thrombolysis – a medication given through an IV that helps break up the clot and return normal blood flow.
• Balloon angioplasty- a procedure that helps to open the coronary artery by deploying a small balloon to break up the
blockage.
• Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)- an open-heart procedure that creates new pathways for the blood to flow around
the blockage.
In some cases, a heart attack can be medically managed. Some medications that could be started include:
• Anticoagulants (blood thinners) – to help break up and prevent blood clots from forming
• Examples: Heparin, Coumadin (Warfarin), Lovenox, Apixaban (Eliquis), Rivaroxaban (Xarelto)
• Antiplatelet – to help keep clots from forming by stopping platelets from sticking together
• Examples: Clopidogrel (Plavix), Ticagrelor (Brilliant), Aspirin
• Vasodilators – relaxes the blood vessels to help increase how much blood can be delivered to the heart
• Examples: Nitroglycerin, Morphine
Medication Management After Discharge
Medications you can expect to go home with after discharge include:
• Antiplatelets – to help keep clots from forming by stopping platelets from

sticking together
• Examples: Clopidogrel (Plavix), Ticagrelor (Brilliant), Aspirin
• Statins – to help lower cholesterol levels and prevent plaque build up in

coronary arteries.
• Examples: Atorvastatin (Lipitor), Rosuvastatin (Crestor), Simvastatin
(Zocor)]
• Beta Blockers- help reduce strain on the heart and improve blood flow by
lowering your heart rate and blood pressure.
• Examples: Metoprolol (Lopressor). Atenolol (Tenormin), Bisoprolol (Emcor)
• ACE Inhibitors- help lower blood pressure and reduce strain on the heart.
• Examples: Captopril (Capoten), Lisinopril (Prinivil), Ramipril (Altace)
Ways to Reduce your Chances of a Heart Attack!
 Increase your physical activity to help..

 Reduce weight
 Control blood sugar levels
 Lower cholesterol
 Reduced blood pressure
 Improve your diet by…

 Increasing vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins
 Reducing processed, high sugar, and high sodium foods
 Limit the amount of alcohol you drink
 Stop smoking with the help of…

 Quit your way | Smokefree
 Treatment plans and medications available through your doctor
 Monitor your body by..

 Checking your blood pressure daily
 Getting regular blood work with your doctor to monitor cholesterol
 Taking your medications as prescribed
When to Seek Help!
If you are experiencing any of the following signs

immediately call 911 and seek medical assistance!
▪ Chest pain or discomfort that may radiate to the arms, jaw, back, or shoulder
▪ Nausea, indigestion, heartburn, or abdominal discomfort
▪ Shortness of breath
▪ Lightheadedness, dizziness, sweating, or fainting
While waiting for emergency assistance to arrive, chew and swallow a 325mg Aspirin to help
reduce heart damage that may be occurring.
http://www.bayeraspirin.com/products/genuine-bayer-aspirin/
What’s Next?
• Learn what signs you are looking for and know when to
seek medical assistance.
• Know what treatments you have available to you.
• Set realistic goals for yourself to improve your heart

health and reduce risk.
• Utilize support systems in your life and those available to

you through your doctor.
• Be in control of your heart health and know that you are

not alone!
References
• Buttaro, T. M., Polgar-Bailey, P., Sandberg-Cook, J., & Trybulski, J. (2021a). Chapter 102: Chest Pain and Coronary Artery
Disease. In Primary care: Interprofessional collaborative (6th ed., pp. 559–578). essay, Elsevier.
• Cleveland Clinic . (2022, October 30). Heart attack: Symptoms and treatment. Cleveland Clinic.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16818-heart-attack-myocardial-infarction#symptoms-and-causes
• Daga, L. C., Kaul, U., & Mansoor, A. (2011, December 1). Approach to STEMI AND NSTEMI. The Journal of the Association
of Physicians of India. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22624277/#:~:text=STEMI%20results%20from%20complete
%20and,thrombus%20and%2For%20atheromatous%20material.
• Mayo Clinic. (2022, June 29). What to do when someone is having a heart attack. Mayo Clinic.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-heart-attack/basics/art-20056679
• Tayrien, C., Wojcik, S., & Kang, S. (2022, January 10). Anatomy and function of the coronary arteries. Anatomy and
Function of the Coronary Arteries - Health Encyclopedia - University of Rochester Medical Center.
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=85&contentid=p00196

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Caring for

NURS7003- ROLE DEVELOPMENT

YOUNGSTOWN STATE UNIVERSITY

▪ Provide education on the anatomy behind a heart attack.

▪ Adult patients newly diagnosed with a heart attack with or without

▪ Identify the patient population in need of education on heart attack signs,

The patient can identify early signs of a

The area of a heart attack determines what section of the

• Right Coronary Artery (RAC) - delivers blood to the right side of

Heart attacks are caused by some form of blockage in a

• The most common cause is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD):

• Other causes include:

• Chest pain • Nausea and/or vomiting

Medications you can expect to go home with after discharge include:

• Antiplatelets – to help keep clots from forming by stopping platelets from

• Statins – to help lower cholesterol levels and prevent plaque build up in

 Increase your physical activity to help..

 Improve your diet by…

 Stop smoking with the help of…

 Monitor your body by..

If you are experiencing any of the following signs

• Know what treatments you have available to you.

• Set realistic goals for yourself to improve your heart

• Utilize support systems in your life and those available to

• Be in control of your heart health and know that you are

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