Thrombolytic drugs for heart attack Small blood vessels called
coronary arteries supply blood and oxygen to the heart. - A
heart attack can occur if a blood clot completely blocks one of
these arteries. - Unstable angina refers to chest pain and other
warning signs that a heart attack may happen soon. It is most
often caused by blood clots in the arteries. Certain patients
may be given drugs to break up the clot if the artery is
completely blocked. These drugs are called thrombolytics, or
clot busting drugs. - These drugs should be given within 3 hours
of when the patient first felt chest pain. - The medicine is
given through a vein (IV). - Blood thinners taken by mouth may
be prescribed later to prevent more clots from forming. The main
risk when receiving clot busting drugs is bleeding, especially
bleeding in the brain. Thrombolytic therapy is not safe for
people who have: - Bleeding inside the head or a stroke - Brain
abnormalities, such as tumors or poorly formed blood vessels -
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