The use of clot busters or thrombolytics has dramatically reduced the risk of dying of a heart attack in the past decade. Given after a heart attack starts they act to break up clots, restore blood flow through the blocked artery and reduce damage to the heart muscle.

Clot busters must be administered as soon as possible after a heart attack begins because, as we’ve seen, the longer the heart muscle is deprived of its blood supply the more damage is done. Prompt use of a clot buster can change a potentially severe heart attack into a mild one and can sometimes avert any damage whatsoever.

The clot buster most often used is called streptokinase. It is given intravenously for an hour and after that you’ll be given aspirin.

Side effects

As clot busters dissolve clots, one of their more serious potential side effects is that they can cause serious bleeding. That means if you have recently had an operation or suffered bleeding from another cause you won’t be prescribed them. Part of the skill of the doctor in the coronary unit is to weigh up the risks carefully against the benefits.

Related posts:

1. What Is Coronary Heart Disease?

2. What are the Symptoms of Coronary Heart Disease?

3. The Basics of Cardiovascular Diseases

4. Heart Tests in Stroke Diagnosis

5. The basics of aspirins in heart diseases

6. Stroke – Treatment for Underlying Physical Problems

7. Heart Disease Tips and Advice

8. Smoking and Heart Disease

9. Who Are More Prone To Develop Coronary Heart Disease?

10. Fibrinogen – The Clotting Protein