ACE Inhibitor at Discharge

Why is this important?

An ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitor is a pharmaceutical used in the treatment of heart attacks, heart failure or dysfunction of the left ventricle of the heart. ACE inhibitors can help reduce the risk of death from a heart attack if taken within 24 hours of the first heart attack symptoms. Continued use may help prevent heart failure. ACE inhibitors work by stopping the production of a hormone that narrows blood vessels, reducing the pressure in the heart and lowering blood pressure. If you suffer a heart attack, you should get a prescription for ACE inhibitors before you leave the hospital.

Higher percentages are better.

Information About Heart Attack Care

A heart attack (also called acute myocardial infarction) occurs when the arteries leading to the heart become blocked and the blood supply is slowed or stopped. When the heart muscle can’t get the oxygen and nutrients it needs, the part of the heart tissue that is affected may die.

The symptoms of a heart attack can include:

• Chest pain (often described as a crushing, squeezing or burning pain in the center of the chest that may radiate to the arm or jaw)
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness or extreme weakness
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Cold or clammy skin
• Gray skin tone or ill appearance

Sometimes there may be no symptoms of a heart attack, especially if you have diabetes. While men typically experience chest pain, women sometimes experience different symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.

This data, based primarily on data collected by Baxter Regional Medical Center hospital from April 2007 through March 2008, was released publicly on December 18, 2008.