Do patients still need to carry evidence of having received streptokinase?
Yes, but streptokinase has now been replaced with a new clot-buster called TNK. Unlike streptokinase, TNK can be given more than once if required and therefore does not need a card to be carried. 15. Why has the number of heart attacks reduced? The rate of serious heart attack where there is complete blockage of a coronary artery has been falling and is now around 700 patients per million of population. GPs have been very good at treating cholesterol levels and blood pressure and other risk factors. GPs should take most of the credit. While early days yet, the smoking ban in public places may be helping too. 16. What is the success rate of treatment? Clot busters work in two thirds of patients. With primary angioplasty more than 19 out of 20 patients will have their blocked artery reopened 17. Why would you be given an angiogram but then treated with medication rather than being given a stent? If a clot-buster has removed the clot in the coronary artery and there is a good blood flow t
