Myocardial Infarction: Signs, Causes, Risk, and Treatment

A heart attack can result in death or long-term heart damage. Because a portion of the heart muscle (myocardium) may die, it is also known as a myocardial infarction (infarction). One of the coronary arteries becomes severely or totally blocked, typically as a result of a blood clot, and a heart attack results. 

How much of the heart muscle is damaged during a heart attack generally determines how severe it is. To maintain your general health, check for heart disease risk factors, and get assistance with preventing a heart attack, visit your heart specialist hospital on a regular basis.

Symptoms of heart attack:

The signs and symptoms of a heart attack differ from person to person. The severity of the disease affects the symptoms. Only a small percentage of patients have these symptoms clearly, allowing them to seek medical attention right away; however, some suffer a sudden cardiac arrest with no symptoms at all

• chest pain that can be intense or mild and feels tight and compressed. The arms, neck, jaw, and areas in the back may also experience this sensation.

• abdominal pain, heartburn, indigestion, and a feeling of nausea

• frozen sweat

• Tiredness

• sudden fainting and dizziness

• breathing difficulty

What causes heart attack:

Damaged coronary arteries in the heart are the primary cause of a heart attack. Numerous factors can cause coronary arteries to become blocked, which reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the heart. The most common cause of heart attacks is a condition known as coronary artery disease.

 

In some instances, a myocardial infarction happens when a plaque that has built up in the heart bursts, allowing cholesterol and other substances to enter the bloodstream. A blood clot blocks the flow of oxygenated blood to the heart during the rupture. Rarely, a blood vessel spasm can cause a heart attack.

Heart attack risk factor:

Heart attack risk factors include smoking, living a sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), and a family history of heart disease, particularly premature coronary artery disease.

• Smoking causes a three to four-fold increase in heart attack risk compared to non-smokers. Smoking can make artery muscles contract, which lowers the amount of blood getting to the heart.

• High blood pressure - Causes blood to push against artery walls too forcefully, damaging them and hastening the development of coronary artery hardening.

• A fatty substance found in foods of animal origin that is HIGH IN CHOLESTEROL. High cholesterol levels cause fatty deposits to form along the inner lining of the arteries, obstructing blood flow.

• High triglycerides: This blood fat, which is produced as a byproduct of the breakdown of sugar, aids in the development of plaque. Alcohol, starches, and sugars should all be consumed in moderation.

• Diabetes increases a person's risk of heart disease by more than twofold. Diabetes weakens the artery walls and raises the possibility of plaque development. Diabetics must maintain normal blood sugar levels and maintain healthy levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. See the list of 25 foods that can lower triglycerides.

• Overdose of alcohol and caffeine - Can increase cholesterol by increasing blood fat levels. Limiting alcohol consumption is necessary. Limit yourself to two cups of caffeinated beverages per day.

• Obesity - Carrying extra weight directly strains the heart. When a person is overweight, their heart has to work harder to pump blood to the extra tissue. Weight loss lowers blood pressure and lowers cholesterol.

• Lack of exercise between rest, relaxation, and activity is required for a healthy body. A well-rounded exercise regimen is advised.

How are heart attacks diagnosed?

You should go to the hospital right away if you believe you may be having a heart attack. There, a doctor will evaluate your symptoms and take your temperature, pulse, and blood pressure.

There are a number of tests that can help determine whether you've had a heart attack and whether any harm was done, including:

• In order to record the electrical signals passing through your heart muscle during blood tests, electrical leads are placed on your chest, arms, and legs.

• blood tests

• chest x-ray

• exercise stress test

• CT scan or MRI scan

• Angiogram treatment (or coronary catheterization) shows whether your coronary arteries are blocked or narrowed by inserting a small tube (catheter) into a blood vessel and injecting a special fluid there.

How are heart attacks treated?

Quickly restoring blood flow to the heart is the first step in treating a suspected heart attack. Oxygen is necessary for heart muscle cells, so the longer the heart is depleted of oxygen, the more extensive and long-lasting the damage will be.

Medications

• Using drugs known as thrombolytics to dissolve any blood clots obstructing blood flow is a common component of treating a heart attack.

• To help lower the risk of suffering another heart attack, other medications might be prescribed. 

Surgery

The following surgical procedures can aid in reestablishing blood flow to the heart:

• Coronary angioplasty is a procedure in which a special balloon is inserted through your groin or wrist into a coronary artery to open it up from the inside. A special metal tube (stent) may then be inserted into your artery and used to keep the artery open.

The goal of coronary bypass surgery, also known as coronary artery bypass graft surgery, or CABG, is to improve the blood flow to your heart by rerouting blood around the blockage in your coronary artery.