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Heart attack treatment available online

In order to prevent future heart attacks, consult with one of our board-certified doctors online to prescribe medications to help reduce risk for future heart attacks. Get a new prescription for heart disease management or refill an existing prescription today.*
Medication services available for adults and kids (3+) Top quality, board-certified doctors Insurance accepted, but not required
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*PlushCare doctors cannot treat heart attacks online. Our primary care physicians can conduct an initial evaluation of your symptoms, but may need to refer you to a specialist or for in-person treatment. If you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately.

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Learn about heart attacks

Please note that a heart attack is a life-threatening medical emergency requiring immediate medical attention. If you are currently experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, such as chest pain, stop reading, and call 9-1-1 immediately.

A heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, occurs when the heart muscle does not get enough blood flow carrying oxygen. The heart is a muscle that needs oxygen to keep functioning. Blood vessels (i.e., coronary arteries) bring oxygen-rich blood to the heart, so it continues to pump blood to the rest of the body. If the arteries can become blocked, and the heart does not get enough oxygen, the heart muscle begins to die.

According to the American Heart Association, someone in the United States experiences a heart attack every 40 seconds.

Heart attack causes

Coronary artery disease

As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) pointed out, coronary artery disease is the most common cause of heart attacks in the United States. This happens when a cholesterol-containing substance called plaque gets deposited and builds up inside the arteries (also known as atherosclerosis), narrowing the arteries and reducing blood flow to parts of the heart muscle. Eventually, if a plaque breaks open inside the artery, it causes blood clot formation on the plaque's surface. A large blood clot is capable of blocking blood flow to the heart.

 

Other causes

Myocardial infarction in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease (also known as MINOCA) is due to other causes related to conditions of the heart and blood vessels:

  • Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) begins when a tear forms inside the coronary artery. The torn tissue or a blood clot that forms at the tear can block your artery. SCAD can be brought about by pregnancy, stress, or extreme physical activity.

  • A coronary artery embolism happens when a blood clot circulating around your bloodstream gets stuck in the coronary artery and blocks blood flow.

  • A coronary artery spasm is a sudden and serious coronary artery contraction that can block blood flow through your artery. People who smoke and engage in drug (e.g. cocaine) use are at high risk for coronary spasms.

Heart attack risk factors

The American Heart Association identified several risk factors for heart attacks and classifies them into three categories:

Major risk factors that cannot be modified:

These are the risk factors that are beyond your control and cannot be changed, including:

  • Sex: Males tend to have a higher risk of heart attack than females. Males also tend to have heart attacks earlier in life than females.

  • Age: Age is a significant risk factor. The risk for heart disease is higher in older people. According to the American Heart Association, the majority of coronary heart disease fatalities are 65 or older.

  • Genetics: Your risk for heart disease or attack is higher if your family history consists of family members with heart diseases or attacks.

Major risk factors that can be modified:

  • High blood pressure: High blood pressure makes the heart work harder, making it become stiffer and function abnormally. High blood pressure increases your risk of a heart attack.

  • High blood cholesterol: High blood cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease and attack. However, note that total cholesterol is a sum of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ("good cholesterol"), and triglycerides. Generally, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ("bad cholesterol") is suitable for heart health. But high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol with high triglycerides levels is associated with atherosclerosis and increases the risk for heart attack.

  • Obesity: Obese and overweight adults are at high risk for heart disease and attack. Maintain a healthy weight to reduce your risk.

  • Diabetes: Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease and attack; manage diabetes to reduce your risk.

  • Sedentary lifestyle: Sedentary people are at higher risk for heart disease, so exercise regularly to reduce your risk.

  • Cigarette smoking: Smokers are at higher risk for developing coronary heart disease than nonsmokers, so stop smoking to reduce your risk.

Other risk factors that contribute to heart disease:

  • Alcohol abuse: High levels of alcohol consumption can increase blood pressure and raise the risk for heart disease.

  • Stress: There seems to be a correlation between extra stress and coronary heart disease risk.

Heart attack symptoms

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the following are the symptoms of a heart attack:

  • Chest pain or discomfort in the center or left side of the chest

  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat

  • Profuse sweating for no reason

  • Feeling fatigued for no reason

  • Shortness of breath, even when resting.

  • Light-headedness or sudden dizziness

  • Nausea and vomiting



According to the American Heart Association, the symptoms vary between men and women.

If you are currently experiencing any of these symptoms of a heart attack, such as chest pain, stop reading, and call 9-1-1 immediately.

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Heart attack treatment

Each minute after a heart attack, the heart tissue dies due to a lack of oxygen. Upon entering the health care facility, the medical professional can start treatment even before an official diagnosis of a heart attack. The main goals of emergency treatment are to increase blood flow and restore blood oxygen levels. As such, oxygen is given immediately. The type of heart attack treatment depends on the blockage condition - partial or complete.

Below are some standard heart attack procedures as listed by the American Heart Association:

  • Angioplasty

  • Angioplasty, laser

  • Radiofrequency ablation

  • Transmyocardial revascularization (TMR)

  • Minimally invasive heart surgery

  • Artificial heart valve surgery

  • Stent procedure

  • Atherectomy

  • Bypass surgery

  • Cardiomyoplasty

  • Heart transplant

Heart attack medication

Heart attack medications prescribed by health care professionals aim to reduce blood clots and increase blood flow to the heart to limit damage to your heart. Below are some common heart attack medications as listed by the American Heart Association:
 

Anticoagulant
Antiplatelet agent
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor
Angiotensin II receptor blocker
Angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor
Aspirin
Beta blocker
Combined alpha and beta blocker
Calcium channel blocker
Cholesterol-lowering medications
Digitalis preparation
Diuretics
Vasodilator
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How to prevent a heart attack

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), choosing heart healthy lifestyle that maintains a healthy weight and normal blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels can help prevent heart disease.

Healthy diet

A heart-healthy diet consists of the following foods:

 

  • Fresh fruits

  • Fresh vegetables

  • Foods high in fiber

  • Foods low in saturated fat, trans fat

  • Foods low in sugar

  • Foods low in sodium

 

Regular physical activity

Regular physical activity and a healthy diet can help maintain a healthy weight and lower your blood pressure and cholesterol.

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When to see a doctor for heart attack symptoms

If you are experiencing heart attack symptoms as described above, go to your nearest emergency room immediately.

Heart attack treatment FAQs

What are the warning signs of a heart attack?

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the following are the warning signs of attack:

  • Chest pain or discomfort in the center or left side of the chest

  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat

  • Profuse sweating for no reason

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Shortness of breath even when resting

  • Light-headedness or sudden dizziness

  • Feeling fatigued for no reason

What does a heart attack feel like?

According to the American Heart Association, most heart attacks feel like discomfort in the center or left side of the chest. The discomfort can be squeezing, pain, or uncomfortable pressure. The discomfort can lasts for a few minutes then go away, but will return.

How long does a heart attack last?

Most heart attack pain and discomfort can last for a few minutes, then go away and then come back.

Does your body warn you before a heart attack?

The following are the warning signs of an attack:

  • Chest pain or discomfort in the center or left side of the chest

  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat

  • Shortness of breath even when resting

  • Profuse sweating for no reason

  • Feeling fatigue for no reason

  • Light-headedness or sudden dizziness

  • Nausea and vomiting

3 simple steps to request a consultation for heart attack prevention today

How It Works Step 1
Step 1

Book a heart attack consultation appointment.

Book a same day appointment from anywhere.
How It Works Step 2
Step 2

Talk to your medical provider regarding your symptoms.

Visit with a doctor on your smartphone or computer.
How It Works Step 3
Step 3

If prescribed, pick up prescription for heart disease management.

We can send prescriptions to any local pharmacy.

Heart attack consultation pricing details

To request a consultation for heart attacks as well as request referrals and prescriptions, join our monthly membership and get discounted visits.

30 days of free membership

  • Same-day appointments 7 days a week
  • Unlimited messages with your Care Team
  • Prescription discount card to save up to 80%
  • Exclusive discounts on lab tests
  • Free memberships for your family
  • Cancel anytime

Paying with insurance

Membership

$19.99

First month free

+

Visits

Copay

Visit price with insurance

Often the same as an office visit. Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less!

We accept these insurance plans and many more:


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Paying without insurance

Membership

$19.99

First month free

+

Visits

$129

Visit price without insurance

Initial visits are $129.

Related conditions to heart attacks

Cardiac arrest