Persons with a serious heart problem are often treated in a coronary intensive care unit. These special care areas are also called coronary care units or CCUs.

CCUs have doctors and nurses who specialize in the treatment of heart problems. Each patient is hooked up to a heart monitor. This allows the nurse to follow every patient's heart beat and other vital signs from a central station.

When a person with a possible heart attack is admitted to a CCU, the major concern is preventing further heart muscle damage. The doctors may use medicines to open blocked arteries. They may use medicines to prevent abnormal heart rhythms. They may also treat blood pressure problems. The doctors may perform tests to see how well the heart is working. If the patient feels well and has not had a heart attack, they may be sent home or to another part of the hospital. If there is a heart attack, the patient will stay in the CCU until they are stable. When the risk of further heart problems is lower, they will be transferred.

Because CCU patients are often very ill, visiting hours are usually limited. The CCU nurse will tell family members when visiting is allowed. For heart attack patients, rehabilitation and education begins in the CCU. It is continued during the hospital stay and after the patient leaves the hospital. For family members the most important thing is to help the patient think about the future and what they can do to help their heart problem.

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