Heart attack treatments The JAMA Patient Page is a public service of JAMA and the AMA. The information and recommendations appearingon this page are appropriate in most instances; but they are not a substitute for medical diagnosis. For specificinformation concerning your personal medical condition, JAMA and AMA suggest that you consult your physician.This page may be reproduced noncommercially by physicians and other health care professionals to share withpatients. Any other reproduction is subject to AMA approval. To purchase bulk reprints, call 212/354-0050. s more people lead more activeand healthier lifestyles, thedeath rate from cardiovascular disease has declined. However, heartdisease continues to affect thousands ofpeople each year and is the leadingcause of death in the United States. If you or someone you know experience any of the symptoms of aheart attack, it is very important thatyou receive immediate medicalattention by contacting the emergencymedical response system (ie, call 911 inmost US Cities) for transport to thenearest hospital with 24-houremergency cardiac care. The sooner aperson receives treatment, the better thechances for recovery. A study in the July 28, 1999, issue of JAMA found that elderly heart attack