What to do if you think you are having a heart attack (ACS)
Immediate treatment is extremely important for unstable angina or heart attack. Call 911 to receive immediate treatment by trained emergency personnel. If emergency services are not available in your area, have someone else drive you to the hospital as quickly as possible. Never drive yourself unless there is no other option. 

In 2001, 1.2 million people in the United States had new or recurrent heart attacks or died from coronary heart disease. 340,000 people died in the Emergency Department or before ever reaching the hospital. Seek medical care immediately because the first hour after symptoms begin is the most critical time period to prevent death and reduce the amount of permanent damage to the heart! 

What happens in the ambulance? 
The emergency personnel will give you oxygen and check your heart rate and blood pressure. They may also be able to do an electrocardiogram (EKG, ECG). They may also give you an aspirin the chew and nitroglycerin under your tongue to control the chest pain. They will also start an intravenous line to give you medications if necessary. The kind of monitoring and treatment they can deliver will be very important if any problems occur on your trip to the hospital. 

What happens when I get to the hospital? 
Emergency department personnel will work quickly to determine if you are having a heart attack or have unstable angina. 

• The doctors, nurses, and technicians will ask you about your symptoms and past medical history. Your doctors and nurses will determine if the information is useful so be sure to tell them everything you can remember. (Always carry a current list of your medications in your purse or wallet) 

• They will start with an electrocardiogram (EKG, ECG), blood pressure, respiratory rate, temperature, and oxygen level. 

• You will be given an aspirin to chew unless you have already taken one that day · They will attempt to control the chest pain and other symptoms by giving you nitroglycerin under your tongue or in your intravenous (IV) line. You may also receive morphine. 

• A medication from the 'beta-blocker' family may also be given to slow the heart down so that heart muscle doesn't require as much oxygen to function. 

• You will also receive oxygen through nasal prongs or a facemask. 

• Blood tests will be done to determine if cardiac enzymes are elevated, a sign that heart damage has occurred. 

• Your doctor will determine the most appropriate treatment for you.