A "sudden" heart attack or even heart-related chest pain can be years in the making.
What causes a heart attack is typically when arteries supplying blood to the heart
are blocked. This same blockage occurs with heart-related chest pain. In most cases,
the blockage is caused by clots. In fact, clots cause more than 90% of all heart
attacks. See how different cardiovascular
medications work using the Interactive Medications Chart
- Research tells us that, compared to the general population, people
who have had a heart attack face an:
- Increased risk of another heart attack
- Increased risk of stroke
How do clots form?
All of us develop plaque: a buildup of cholesterol and other materials in the walls
of our arteries. Over time, this plaque can restrict the flow of blood throughout
the body.
What causes a heart attack? Clots
- Healthy Artery - Normal arteries are smooth and flexible, allowing
oxygen-rich blood to flow through easily
- Plaque Formation and Narrowing of the Arteries - Deposits collect
within the artery walls, causing plaque that narrows the artery and reduces blood
flow
- Plaque Rupture - The plaque ruptures and platelets in your blood
may form clots
- Artery Blockage - A clot can reduce or block the flow of blood.
This blockage typically causes a heart attack, heart-related chest pain (unstable
angina), or a stroke
- Your doctor may recommend using PLAVIX with aspirin daily if you’ve
been hospitalized with:
-
- Heart-related chest pain (unstable angina)
- A heart attack
Your doctor may refer to these conditions as Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS).
- PLAVIX can help you stay protected, no matter which type of ACS you’ve had
-
- ST-elevation heart attack, which is caused by a completely blocked artery. It’s
life-threatening and results in significant heart damage.
- Non-ST-elevation heart attack, which is caused by a partially blocked artery, can
also be life-threatening, and results in minor heart damage.
- Unstable angina (heart-related chest pain), which is also caused by a partially
blocked artery, but does not result in measurable heart damage.
All three put you at risk for a future heart attack or stroke.
And always talk to your doctor before taking aspirin with PLAVIX, especially if you've had a stroke.
If you’ve had an ST-elevation heart attack, PLAVIX with aspirin has been proven
to help save lives by reducing the risk of a fatal heart attack or stroke.
What to do next:
Learn how PLAVIX can help protects against heart attack and stroke
