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