About 1.5 million Americans have heart attacks every year.
One reason TPA can help more people is because of time. This new drug is easier
and faster to use. It will give doctors more time in hospitals. Then they can study the
problem well. People with heart problems can also keep some TPA at home. When a
heart attack starts, they can take some TPA right away. Then they will have time to
get to the hospital. This is important because about 860,000 people in the United
States die before they get to the hospital.