It is important to note that while heart attack and cardiac arrest are different, they can also be related. A heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest, and a person who has had a heart attack is at higher risk of experiencing cardiac arrest. Therefore, it is vital to be aware of the symptoms of both and seek immediate medical attention if they occur.
Treatment for Heart Attack and Cardiac Arrest
Treating both heart attack and cardiac arrest immediately is necessary as if left untreated can lead the patient to a life-threatening state. In the case of a heart attack, the first line of treatment may include a physical examination by a cardiologist (heart specialist) followed by medications to relieve pain or prevent another heart attack or both.
If the medications do not provide relief to the patient, the doctor may recommend one of the following treatment options for heart attack. These treatment options include
Coronary angioplasty and stenting: This is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a catheter (a thin, flexible tube) to treat narrow or blocked coronary arteries. During coronary angioplasty, a tiny balloon is inflated inside the narrowed or blocked artery to widen it and improve blood flow.
Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG): CABG is a type of surgery that is performed to treat blockages in the coronary arteries. During CABG surgery, a healthy blood vessel is taken from another part of the body, such as the chest or leg, and is used to create a new route for blood to flow around the blocked or narrowed coronary artery.
Heart valve replacement surgery: It is a procedure that involves replacing one or more of the heart s valves with an artificial valve. The heart s valves play a crucial role in regulating blood flow through the heart, and when a valve becomes damaged or diseased, it can interfere with the heart s ability to function properly.
Heart transplant: It is a surgical procedure in which a damaged or diseased heart is replaced with a healthy heart from a donor.
On the other hand, a cardiac arrest requires immediate medical attention. Some of the important treatments for survival in a cardiac arrest include
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation:CPR is a life-saving technique used to revive individuals who have stopped breathing or whose heart has stopped beating. CPR is a combination of chest compressions and rescue breathing that helps to circulate oxygen-rich blood throughout the body.
Automated External Defibrillation: AED is a portable device which is used to treat sudden cardiac arrest. The device analyses the heart rhythm of the patient and provides shocks if needed to make the heart rhythm normal.
Cost of Common Treatments for Heart Attack and Cardiac Arrest
The heart is a precious organ and simultaneously a responsible one too. This is because without the heart functioning properly, no other body organs can work properly.
The most common treatments for a heart attack and post-cardiac arrest are coronary angioplasty and coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG).
If you are not aware of the pre and post-surgery processes, surgery costs can go as high as a rocket. Therefore, it is important to know about the costing of the same.
Coronary Angioplasty Cost
Coronary angioplasty is a procedure to open or widen the blocked coronary arteries, enabling a better flow of blood. It uses a balloon or a modern type mesh (called a stent) insertion inside the artery.
In India, coronary start from ₹50,000 and can go up to ₹2,50,000. A list of coronary angioplasty costs in various cities in India can be found below: