Ranked No. 14 in the Nation for Cardiology, Heart & Vascular Surgery by U.S. News & World Report
Houston Methodist Hospital is ranked Best in Texas and No. 14 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for Cardiology, Heart & Vascular Surgery. U.S. News & World Report has also named Houston Methodist Hospital one of the nation's best as a nationally ranked Honor Roll hospital.
Treating & Managing a Heart Attack
The board-certified heart specialists at Houston Methodist are committed to superior outcomes from diagnosis through treatment and recovery. If you experience a heart attack, your cardiologist tailors your treatment plan to your individual needs and lifestyle.
Our medical professionals strive to provide life-altering interventions. Our goal is to relieve pain, preserve heart muscle and save your life. Your care team may use one or more of the following methods to treat and manage a heart attack.
Medication
Medication may be administered to treat a heart attack. Nitroglycerin may be administered to relieve chest pain and widen blood vessels to help the blood to pass through. Morphine helps reduce chest pain during a heart attack.
A thrombolytic (clot-busting) medication may be given within the first 12 hours after a heart attack. Beta blockers slow your heart rate to allow it to heal.
You may also be prescribed medication to improve your heart health and reduce the chances of having another heart attack. Medicines can help manage blood pressure, cholesterol, heart rhythm and other factors that affect your heart and blood vessels.
Blood thinners and aspirin can reduce your risk of blood clots. Statins and lipid-lowering therapies decrease bad cholesterol (LDL) which can cause a heart attack.
Surgical Procedures
While performing your procedure, your interventional cardiologist is assisted by specialized cardiovascular nurses and technicians. When possible, our surgeons use minimally invasive surgical treatments, including robotic- and laparoscopic-assisted surgery. These procedures typically have shorter recovery times compared to more invasive traditional surgeries.
A common minimally invasive procedure for a heart attack is a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), also known as angioplasty with stent. During this procedure, a small balloon is used to open the blocked artery, and a stent (a small expandable tube) is placed to keep the artery open.
If the artery blockage is severe, open-heart surgery or bypass surgery may be needed. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) reroutes the blood around a blocked section and brings blood to the heart.
Implantable Heart Devices
Certain cardiac conditions are treated and managed with an implantable heart device, such as a pacemaker, heart defibrillator or ventricular assist device (VAD). These devices are sometimes needed to help restore normal function after a heart attack.
Recent advances in medical technology have made implantable heart devices smaller and easier to manage than ever before — allowing those who have them to lead normal, active lives.
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Cardiac rehab is often recommended after a heart attack. This is a structured program of exercise, education and support that strengthens your heart, improves your stamina and helps you adopt heart-healthy habits.
Our specialized team of rehabilitation specialists work together to create an individualized cardiac rehab program designed for your specific needs.
Lifestyle Changes
Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking and reducing stress are essential steps to improving heart health. Your doctor can help guide you in making lifestyle changes, if needed.
Heart & Vascular Clinical Research
Houston Methodist cardiologists and surgeons conduct and lead numerous national and international clinical research studies to develop new treatments for rare, complex and difficult to treat diseases of the heart and vascular system.
