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Act in Time to Heart Attack Signs
 

Other Medications

Besides thrombolytic, or clot-busting, drugs, other medications also are used to treat a heart attack and ischemia, as well as to ease chest pain. These drugs include aspirin, nitrates, such as nitroglycerin, and beta blockers.

Aspirin. Aspirin is now given to all patients who arrive at the hospital emergency department with a suspected heart attack. Aspirin acts to thin the blood and lessen the size of a blood clot during a heart attack.
 

Nitrates, including nitroglycerin. This relaxes blood vessels and stops chest pain.
 

Beta blockers. These reduce nerve impulses to the heart and blood vessels. This makes the heart beat more slowly and with less force.
 

 

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