Heart Attack
What are the symptoms of myocardial infarction?
Source: Diana Hysi
In this topic (17)
Myocardial infarction (MI) or acute myocardial infarction (AMI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow stops to a part of the heart causing damage to the heart muscle.
Symptoms
The most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort that may travel into the shoulder, arm, back, neck, or jaw. Often it is in the center or left side of the chest and lasts for more than a few minutes.
The discomfort may occasionally feel like heartburn.
Other symptoms may include:
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Feeling faint
- A cold sweat, or feeling tired.
An MI may cause heart failure, an irregular heartbeat, cardiogenic shock, or cardiac arrest.
Most MIs occur due to coronary artery disease.
Risk factors include:
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Lack of exercise
- Obesity
- High blood cholesterol
- Poor diet
- And excessive alcohol intake, among others.
Other Names for Coronary Heart Disease
- Atherosclerosis
- Coronary artery disease
- Hardening of the arteries
- Heart disease
- Ischemic (is-KE-mik) heart disease
- Narrowing of the arteries
Articles for Heart Attack
Causes
Heart attacks are caused by the blood supply to the heart being suddenly interrupted, usually by a blood clot
Complications
Read about complications of a heart attack. Complications of a heart attack can vary widely, from mild to life threatening.
Diagnosis
If a heart attack is suspected, you should be admitted to hospital immediately. You will usually be admitted to an acute cardiac care unit (ACCU) so the diagnosis can be confirmed and treatment begin.
Doctor - patient conversation
Doctor enquires about breathing because patients often exhibit respiratory issues to the point of passing out. Doctor immediately recommends an EcG. Through the EcG, one determine the positioning of the ischemia, the degree of heart muscle involved in the ischemia.
How is myocardial infarction treated?
Pre-hospital treatment is very important, due to its crucial involvement in preserving and potentially saving the patient’s life. Aiding and transporting the patient to the hospital immediately hold primary importance in saving the patient’s life.
Introduction
A heart attack (myocardial infarction or MI) is a serious medical emergency in which the supply of blood to the heart is suddenly blocked, usually by a blood clot.
Patient story: "I felt like I'd been kicked in the chest."
Following a heart attack, a quick diagnosis and emergency treatment saved Lynn Connors life.
Patient story: "I thought it would never happen to me again, but it did."
Mike Smith has had three heart attacks. As he nears 60 and enjoys life to the full, he explains how the attacks affected him.
Patient story: "My heart was racing ... the pain was awful."
After a heart attack Debbie Siddons was too scared to pick up her 18-month-old baby. Rehabilitation helped her move on.
Prevention
Making lifestyle changes is the most effective way to prevent having a heart attack (or having another heart attack).
Recover from a heart attack
Read about recovering from a heart attack. Recovery can take several months, and it's very important not to rush your rehabilitation
Symptoms
Read about symptoms of a heart attacks, including chest pain, shortness of breath, feeling and being sick, and anxiety
Treatment
Read about treating a heart attacks, including an ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)
What are the complications that might occur?
Complications that might occur are: cardiogenic shock; progressive cardiogenic shock; septal rupture, rhythm disruptions; pericarditis, thromboembolism, left ventricle aneurysm.
What are the risk factors of myocardial infarction?
Some of the risk factors of myocardial infarction include: hypertonic disease, disruptions in the metabolism of lipids, obesity, inherited hypercholesterolemia, biliary problems, age (above 50 years old), etc.
What are the symptoms of myocardial infarction?
The most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort that may travel into the shoulder, arm, back, neck, or jaw. Often it is in the center or left side of the chest and lasts for more than a few minutes.
What is an infarct?
Infarct is an ischemic necrosis of the myocardis, which comes as a consequence of the acute insufficiency of the coronary arteries. This comes as a consequence of the obstruction of coronary muscle blood vessels by a thrombus.
