ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) Patient Education

What Is a STEMI?

A STEMI is a serious type of heart attack. It happens when a heart artery is completely blocked. This stops blood flow to part of the heart muscle and causes major damage. It is a medical emergency and needs fast treatment.

Causes and Risk Factors

• Blockage of heart arteries by fatty deposits (plaque)
  
  

• High blood pressure
  
  

• Smoking
  
  

• Diabetes
  
  

• High cholesterol
  
  

• Family history of heart disease
  
  

• Being overweight
  
  

• Lack of exercise
  
  

• Stress
  
  

• Older age
  
  

Signs and Symptoms

• Severe chest pain or pressure, often described as crushing or squeezing
  
  

• Pain spreading to the arms, neck, jaw, or back
  
  

• Shortness of breath
  
  

• Sweating
  
  

• Feeling very weak or dizzy
  
  

• Nausea or vomiting
  
  

• Some people may feel sudden fatigue or no pain but other symptoms
  
  

Early Warning Signs

• Chest pain or discomfort lasting more than a few minutes or coming back
  
  

• Feeling unusually tired or short of breath with normal activities
  
  

• Mild chest pain that keeps coming back
  
  

Complications if Untreated or Not Following Treatment

• Heart failure (heart gets weak)
  
  

• Dangerous irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias)
  
  

• Heart muscle damage or death
  
  

• Another heart attack
  
  

• Death
  
  

Treatment and Self-Care Measures

• Call 911 immediately if you think you are having a STEMI
  
  

• Hospital care may include emergency procedures to open blocked arteries (like angioplasty or surgery)
  
  

• Take medicines as prescribed
  
  

• Rest and avoid heavy activities while healing
  
  

• Attend all follow-up visits and tests
  
  

Common Medications

• Aspirin: Prevents blood clots. Side effects: bleeding, stomach upset
  
  

• Blood thinners (e.g., clopidogrel): Prevent clots. Side effects: bleeding
  
  

• Beta-blockers: Lower heart rate and blood pressure. Side effects: dizziness, tiredness
  
  

• ACE inhibitors: Relax blood vessels. Side effects: cough, low blood pressure
  
  

• Statins: Lower cholesterol. Side effects: muscle pain, liver problems
  
  

• Nitroglycerin: Relieves chest pain. Side effects: headache, low blood pressure
  
  

Dietary Needs

• Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins
  
  

• Avoid fried, fatty, and processed foods
  
  

• Limit salt and sugar intake
  
  

• Avoid or limit alcohol
  
  

Lifestyle Changes

• Quit smoking completely
  
  

• Exercise as your doctor recommends
  
  

• Maintain a healthy weight
  
  

• Manage stress with relaxation or counseling
  
  

• Control blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes
  
  

Safety Considerations

• Take medications exactly as prescribed
  
  

• Never skip doctor appointments
  
  

• Watch for new or worsening symptoms
  
  

• Use medical ID if advised
  
  

Prevention and Maintenance Tips

• Keep risk factors under control with medicine and lifestyle
  
  

• Follow a heart-healthy diet and exercise plan
  
  

• Keep a list of your medicines and labs
  
  

• Know when to get help quickly
  
  

When to Call for Help

Call Your Home Health Agency or Doctor When:

• You have mild chest discomfort that goes away quickly with rest.
  
  

• You have mild side effects from medicines and want advice.
  
  

• You notice swelling in your feet or legs without pain.
  
  

• You feel more tired but have no new chest pain or trouble breathing.
  
  

• You have questions about your diet, medicines, or lab results.
  
  

• You need to schedule or reschedule your doctor visits.
  
  

Call the Emergency Room (911) Immediately When:

• You have chest pain or pressure lasting more than 5 minutes or that comes back often.
  
  

• You feel sudden or severe shortness of breath.
  
  

• You feel dizzy, faint, or very weak suddenly.
  
  

• Chest pain spreads to your arm, neck, jaw, or back.
  
  

• You have new sweating, nausea, or vomiting with chest pain.
  
  

• You have confusion, trouble speaking, or sudden weakness on one side.
  
  

• You notice sudden severe swelling, pain, or redness in your legs.
  
  

© 2025 Judith Regan / K.N.O.W. – Knowledge for Nurturing Optimal Well-Being. All rights reserved. | Educational use only | Not a substitute for medical advice | In emergencies call 911

Patient Homework / Assessment

Instructions: Read each statement. Choose True or False and correct any false statements.

1. True or False: STEMI is a serious heart attack caused by complete blockage of a heart artery.
   
   

2. True or False: Smoking increases the risk of having a STEMI.
   
   

3. True or False: Chest pain during a STEMI can feel like crushing pressure.
   
   

4. True or False: Mild chest pain that goes away does not need medical evaluation.
   
   

5. True or False: Aspirin helps prevent blood clots during a heart attack.
   
   

6. True or False: It is okay to stop heart medicines if you feel better.
   
   

7. True or False: Eating fried and fatty foods is bad for your heart.
   
   

8. True or False: Exercise should be avoided completely after a STEMI.
   
   

9. True or False: Managing stress helps reduce the risk of another heart attack.
   
   

10. True or False: Always tell your doctor about any side effects from medicines.
    
    

11. True or False: High blood pressure and diabetes increase the chance of a heart attack.
    
    

12. True or False: You should wait several hours before going to the emergency room if you have chest pain.
    
    

13. True or False: Nitroglycerin can help relieve chest pain by relaxing blood vessels.
    
    

14. True or False: Regular doctor visits help prevent more heart problems.
    
    

15. True or False: You should only call your doctor if you have chest pain.
    
    

16. True or False: Heart attacks can happen at any age.
    
    

17. True or False: High cholesterol can clog arteries and cause heart attacks.
    
    

18. True or False: Drinking large amounts of alcohol is healthy for the heart.
    
    

19. True or False: Limiting salt helps control blood pressure.
    
    

20. True or False: Dizziness or fainting after a STEMI is not serious.
    
    

ASSESSMENT of WELL-BEING INDIVIDUALIZED PATIENT HOMEWORK

Individualized Questions for Patients

(For you and your healthcare provider to review.)

• When did you have your STEMI or last heart hospital stay?
  
  

• What heart medications are you currently taking?
  
  

• Have you had recent blood tests for cholesterol, blood pressure, or blood sugar? What were the results?
  
  

• What foods do you eat daily?
  
  

• How often do you exercise, and what activities do you do?
  
  

• Do you smoke or use tobacco products?
  
  

• Have you had new chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or swelling since your last visit?
  
  

• When is your next heart doctor appointment?
  
  

• Do you know the signs of another heart attack?
  
  

• Are you confident about when to call your doctor or emergency services?
  
  

© 2025 Judith Regan / K.N.O.W. – Knowledge for Nurturing Optimal Well-Being. All rights reserved. | Educational use only | Not a substitute for medical advice | In emergencies call 911

STEMI Patient Education True/False Answer Key with Explanations

1. STEMI is a type of heart attack caused by a complete blockage of a coronary artery.
   True
   Explanation: STEMI occurs when a coronary artery is fully blocked, cutting off blood flow to part of the heart muscle, causing damage.
   
   

2. Chest pain or discomfort is the most common symptom of STEMI.
   True
   Explanation: Chest pain, often described as pressure or tightness, is the main symptom of a STEMI.
   
   

3. Shortness of breath can be a warning sign of a STEMI.
   True
   Explanation: Difficulty breathing often accompanies a heart attack and signals urgent care is needed.
   
   

4. Only older adults can have a STEMI.
   False
   Explanation: While risk increases with age, STEMI can occur in adults of various ages, especially with risk factors.
   
   

5. High blood pressure and smoking increase the risk of STEMI.
   True
   Explanation: These are major risk factors that damage arteries and contribute to heart attacks.
   
   

6. Ignoring chest pain will usually make the heart attack go away on its own.
   False
   Explanation: Ignoring symptoms can cause severe heart damage or death; immediate medical attention is critical.
   
   

7. Medications like aspirin and blood thinners help during and after a STEMI.
   True
   Explanation: Aspirin reduces blood clotting, helping to restore blood flow and prevent further clots.
   
   

8. After a STEMI, patients should avoid physical activity permanently.
   False
   Explanation: Patients usually start cardiac rehab and gradually return to safe physical activity under medical guidance.
   
   

9. A healthy diet low in saturated fats and cholesterol helps prevent future heart attacks.
   True
   Explanation: Diets low in unhealthy fats reduce artery clogging and promote heart health.
   
   

10. Stress management and quitting smoking can lower STEMI risk.
    True
    Explanation: Both reduce strain on the heart and help prevent artery damage.
    
    

11. If a STEMI is untreated, it can cause heart failure or sudden death.
    True
    Explanation: Lack of blood flow causes irreversible heart damage, which can lead to complications.
    
    

12. Symptoms like nausea, sweating, and pain in the jaw or arm can also indicate a STEMI.
    True
    Explanation: Heart attack symptoms can be atypical and include these signs.
    
    

13. STEMI only happens during physical activity.
    False
    Explanation: STEMI can happen at rest or during activity.
    
    

14. Medications for STEMI may cause side effects like bleeding or upset stomach.
    True
    Explanation: Blood thinners and other meds can cause side effects that should be reported to the doctor.
    
    

15. Taking medications exactly as prescribed is important to prevent another STEMI.
    True
    Explanation: Adherence helps keep arteries open and prevents clots.