Can You Survive Heart Attack Without Treatment?

Heart attack is a growing health issue in modern society. It primarily occurs when coronary arteries get choked and are unable to supply blood that carries oxygen to heart muscles. The severity of heart attack may depend on partial blockage or complete blockage of the coronary artery. Such blockage is often due to buildup of plaque, which can comprise various substances such as fat and cholesterol.

A heart attack can be highly dangerous, especially if there were no earlier warning signs. The risks are also greater if the individual is at a remote location, far away from medical assistance. It makes us wonder what happens if you don’t get treatment for heart attack. Can you survive a heart attack without treatment? To answer such questions, here are some important things to know about heart attack.

Severity of heart attack

A heart attack can occur due to various coronary artery disease. For example, there’s coronary artery spasm that occurs due to contraction of arteries. This is relatively less severe, as compared to other forms of coronary artery disease. Another type is NSTEMI, wherein there is partial blockage. This can lead to permanent damage if left untreated. The most dangerous are STEMI, wherein the coronary artery is entirely blocked. Blood flow is almost entirely restricted to large area of the heart. Such cases will require immediate medical attention.

Even though some forms of coronary artery disease may be less severe than others, it is necessary to seek medical help as soon as possible. It is unlikely that coronary artery disease will go away on its own. On the contrary, it is bound to get worse with every passing day. So, you are unlikely to survive a heart attack without treatment. Getting treatment within 90 minutes of experiencing symptoms can significantly reduce the risk of fatalities and severe damage to heart.

What if medical assistance is not immediately available?

If you are travelling to a remote location, it is recommended that you carry aspirin tablets. This could be a 300 mg tablet. Aspirin is a blood thinning agent and can help restore some blood flow in the affected artery. Even if you are at home and experience symptoms, taking aspirin is recommended. It will give you some more time before medical help arrives. When paramedics arrive, initial treatment can begin with oxygen therapy, nitroglycerin to improve blood flow, blood clot dissolving medicines and beta-blockers / ACE inhibitors to relax heart muscles.

Heart attacks can be fatal if left untreated. It’s highly unlikely that coronary heart disease will cure on its own. Even if you have the slightest of doubts, it is better to seek medical assistance as soon as possible. With advanced treatment techniques and medicines, heart attack survival rate is now more than 90%. The only thing you need is to get medical assistance as soon as possible, preferably within 90 minutes.