Invasive help on OAP heart attacks

Elderly patients suffering the most common type of heart attack may benefit from more invasive treatment, new research suggests.

The study looked at elderly patients admitted to hospital with a type of hear t attack called Nste - mi (non-st segment ele - vated myocardial infarction). The research found those who underwent invasive treatment with a coronary angiogram, followed up with bypass surgery or coronary st en tin gas appropriate, had higher survival rates than those who were treated with medication alone.

Patients who had coronary angio grams–specialist X-rays to identify blockages in the blood supply to the heart

– were also less likely to be readmitted to hospital with a second heart attack or heart failure. Coronary angiograms can help a clinician determine the cause of an Nstemi heart attack and decide on effective treatment, such as increasing blood flow through a coronary stent or bypass grafting.

Previous trials have shown increased survival rates in younger patients with Nstemi heart attacks.