When are Antiplatelet Medications Indicated?
Antiplatelet therapy is used frequently in the care of patients with atherosclerosis (plaque build up, “hardening of the arteries”) and in those patients at increased risk for atherosclerosis: • Acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) Heart attacks occur when the innermost lining inside a coronary artery breaks down or is injured. This injury provides a stimulus for a platelet clump to form in that spot. If the clump is big enough, it may inadvertently block blood flow beyond it, cutting off vital oxygen and nutrients to heart muscle. Patients who have suffered a heart attack are routinely placed on antiplatelet medications as soon as possible. • Unstable angina pectoris: Angina refers to chest pain secondary to an inadequate blood supply to heart muscle. Usually, this is a consequence of severe blockage(s) being present inside the heart arteries. Because these blockages usually build up slowly over time, angina severity worsens slowly over time as well. This is called “stable angin
