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Myocardial Infarction

A myocardial infarction is a heart attack: the blood supply to part of the heart muscle is cut off. It can be life-threatening and always needs emergency treatment in hospital. Most attacks happen when a blood clot blocks an artery that feeds the heart.

Medicine used to treat Myocardial Infarction

Plavix

Clopidogrel

75mg

Plavix is clopidogrel, an antiplatelet tablet for atherothrombotic events, myocardial infarction, stroke and peripheral arterial disease. One strength and several pack sizes is supplied. Each option lists its price per tablet.

FromUS$0.53/ tabletView

Key points

  • A heart attack is usually caused by a blood clot that stops enough blood reaching the heart muscle.
  • The typical pain is crushing or squeezing in the chest and may spread to the arm, neck or jaw, often with breathlessness, nausea, sweating and pale or blue-grey skin.
  • Treatment is given in hospital and depends on how severe the attack is; options include medicines, coronary angioplasty with a stent, or coronary artery bypass surgery.

What happens during a heart attack

When an artery to the heart is blocked, the muscle it supplies is starved of oxygen. The sooner flow is restored, the less muscle is lost. This is why a suspected attack is treated as an emergency rather than something to watch at home.

Medicines after a heart attack

Recovery treatment is aimed at protecting the heart and keeping the repaired vessel open. Antiplatelet therapy is part of this: clopidogrel, the ingredient in Plavix 75mg tablets, helps stop platelets from clumping together and forming another clot. Plavix is used for atherothrombotic events, myocardial infarction, stroke and peripheral arterial disease. You can read more about the first of these on the atherothrombotic events page, and browse related products in the heart and blood pressure range. Pharmacy partners in India ship orders to Malaysia in discreet packaging.

When to call for emergency help

Call 999 for chest pain that feels tight or like squeezing, and for chest pain that is spreading to the arms, neck or jaw. Call 999 as well if someone has severe difficulty breathing, such as gasping, choking or being unable to get words out, or has passed out and is not responding normally.

What the sources say

  • A heart attack happens when blood flow to your heart is blocked; it can be life-threatening and needs emergency treatment in hospital (NHS).
  • Heart attacks are usually caused by a blood clot stopping enough blood getting to your heart (NHS).
  • Chest pain may feel crushing or squeezing and can spread to the arm, neck and jaw (NHS).
  • Treatment in hospital depends on how severe the attack is (NHS).

Further reading

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