Emergency Heart Attack Treatment in Delhi

A heart attack is a medical emergency. In Delhi, where traffic and delays can cost precious minutes, knowing what to do (and what not to do) can literally save a life. The good news: with fast ambulance response, a hospital with a 24×7 emergency and cath lab, and an experienced interventional cardiologist, many heart attack patients can be treated quickly and recover well.

This guide explains emergency heart attack treatment in Delhi, the right first steps, and how hospitals like Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi manage such cases. It also highlights Dr Gautam Naik, Senior Consultant Interventional & Structural Cardiologist at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi. Apollo Hospitals+1


Why Heart Attack Treatment Is a “Golden Hour” Emergency

During a heart attack (myocardial infarction), blood flow to part of the heart muscle gets blocked—most commonly by a clot in a coronary artery. The longer the blockage continues, the more heart muscle is damaged.

That’s why emergency treatment focuses on restoring blood flow as fast as possible—often through primary angioplasty (emergency stenting) when appropriate.


Heart Attack vs Cardiac Arrest: Don’t Confuse Them

  • Heart attack: blockage in blood supply to the heart muscle. The person is often conscious initially.
  • Cardiac arrest: the heart suddenly stops pumping; the person collapses and becomes unresponsive—needs CPR and defibrillation immediately.

Both are emergencies, but the immediate actions differ.


Heart Attack Symptoms: When to Treat It as an Emergency

Call for emergency help immediately if you notice:

  • Heavy chest pressure/tightness (often lasting >10 minutes)
  • Pain radiating to left arm, jaw, back, or upper abdomen
  • Sudden sweating, nausea, or vomiting
  • Breathlessness, dizziness, fainting
  • Unusual fatigue (sometimes more common in women/diabetics)

If you’re unsure, treat it as a heart attack until proven otherwise.


What to Do Immediately in Delhi (First Aid Steps)

These steps are practical and widely recommended for suspected heart attack situations:

  1. Call an emergency number immediately (India emergency: 112) and ask for an ambulance.
  2. Do not drive yourself if symptoms are severe—ambulance teams can start care on the way.
  3. Sit down, stay calm, loosen tight clothing.
  4. Chew an aspirin (only if not allergic and not told to avoid it by a doctor). Apollo 24|7
  5. Do not delay by waiting for symptoms to “settle” or trying home remedies.

Avoid: walking around, exertion, smoking, alcohol, and painkillers like ibuprofen/diclofenac unless a doctor advises.


Where to Go in Delhi: Choose a 24×7 Emergency with Cath Lab Access

The most effective heart attack care usually requires:

  • A 24×7 emergency department
  • ECG and cardiac blood tests available quickly
  • A cardiac cath lab team ready for emergency angioplasty when needed
  • ICU/CCU monitoring and cardiology support

Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi (Sarita Vihar) runs emergency services and is known for interventional cardiac procedures like angioplasty/angiogram services in Delhi. Apollo Hospitals+2Apollo Hospitals+2


What Happens in the Emergency Room (Step-by-Step)

When you reach a well-equipped Delhi hospital, the process typically looks like this:

1) Rapid Triage + ECG

An ECG is usually done within minutes. It helps identify:

  • STEMI (a major heart attack requiring urgent artery opening)
  • NSTEMI/Unstable angina (serious but may need stabilization and planned intervention)

2) Blood Tests + Monitoring

Cardiac markers (like troponin), oxygen levels, blood pressure, and rhythm monitoring begin immediately.

3) Immediate Medicines

Depending on your condition, doctors may give medications to:

  • reduce clotting,
  • relieve chest pain,
  • stabilize blood pressure/heart rhythm,
  • support oxygenation.

4) Decision: Emergency Angioplasty or Other Route

If it’s a STEMI or high-risk situation, the fastest route is often primary angioplasty (PCI)—opening the blocked artery using a balloon and placing a stent.

Apollo Hospitals Delhi describes coronary angioplasty as a key treatment offered, reflecting the availability of such interventional care pathways. Apollo Hospitals+1


Emergency Angioplasty (Primary PCI): The Life-Saving Procedure

Primary angioplasty is the emergency procedure done to reopen the blocked coronary artery.

What it involves:

  • A thin tube (catheter) is inserted (often from the wrist)
  • Dye is used to locate the blockage (angiography)
  • Balloon + stent restores blood flow (angioplasty)

Why it’s preferred when available quickly:

  • Faster blood flow restoration
  • Better outcomes and fewer complications compared with delayed care (exact suitability depends on patient factors and timing)

Thrombolysis: When Stenting Isn’t Immediately Possible

If immediate angioplasty is not available fast enough, doctors may consider clot-busting medicines (thrombolysis) and then shift the patient for further intervention when stable. The decision depends on timing, ECG type, bleeding risk, and hospital resources.


After the Emergency: ICU Care and Recovery

Even after the artery is opened, careful monitoring is crucial:

  • Continuous rhythm monitoring (arrhythmias can happen early)
  • Blood pressure and heart function support
  • Medication plan (antiplatelets, statins, beta-blockers, etc., as advised)
  • Lifestyle and rehab guidance

Most patients also need follow-ups, risk-factor control (BP, diabetes, cholesterol), and cardiac rehab for long-term protection.


Why Experience Matters: Dr Gautam Naik at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Delhi

In a heart attack, minutes matter—and so does the expertise of the team performing the procedure.

Dr Gautam Naik is listed as a Cardiologist (Interventional & Structural), Senior Consultant at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, and is featured on Apollo’s doctor listings for Delhi. Apollo Hospitals+1
For patients looking for emergency heart attack treatment in Delhi, he is widely positioned as one of the leading choices for advanced interventional care at Apollo. Apollo 24|7+1

(“Best” can be subjective; patients often judge this by outcomes, experience, hospital infrastructure, and trust.)


How to Prepare Before an Emergency Happens (Delhi-Specific)

Keep these ready on your phone and at home:

  • Emergency number 112
  • A nearby 24×7 emergency hospital preference decided in advance
  • A list of medicines, allergies, and existing conditions
  • Family contact numbers
  • If you’re high-risk (diabetes, BP, smoking, prior chest pain): don’t ignore “mild” symptoms

FAQs: Emergency Heart Attack Treatment in Delhi

1) Should I go to the nearest clinic first?
If you suspect a heart attack, go directly to a hospital with 24×7 emergency and cath lab access whenever possible.

2) Can heart attack pain come and go?
Yes. Don’t wait for it to become constant—seek emergency evaluation.

3) Is every chest pain a heart attack?
No—but it must be ruled out quickly, especially in high-risk people.

4) How long does emergency angioplasty take?
The procedure time varies by complexity; the priority is rapid diagnosis and swift artery opening when needed.

5) What improves survival most?
Calling emergency help early, reaching a capable hospital fast, and timely restoration of blood flow.


Takeaway

If you’re in Delhi and suspect a heart attack: act immediately. Call emergency help, reach a 24×7 emergency hospital with cath lab support, and let a trained interventional cardiology team take over. For advanced interventional heart care at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, Dr Gautam Naik is a prominent name in cardiology listings for Delhi. Apollo Hospitals+1