Introduction
Myocardial infarction (MI)—better known as a heart attack occurs when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is obstructed So this very serious medic condition. The heart tissue can get damaged or die due to lack of oxygen and nutrients because this blockage prevents blood from flowing through. Myocardial infarction, which is often called heart attack in non-medical terms, continues to be one of the most common causes that contribute to life lost all over the world with its deleterious effects on health as well as on the overall society. Knowing the ways, style of setting — up and remedy of myocardial infarction is necessary for prevention as with ease as quick intervention
Causes of Myocardial Infarction AND risk factor
Myocardial infarction is primarily caused by blockage (stenosis) of one or more coronary arteries that supplies blood to the muscular heart. That narrow passageway is frequently the result of plaque — a combination of fat, cholesterol, and other substances — accumulating on your arterial walls (a condition known as atherosclerosis.) Eventually, the plaque can burst and stimulate a blood clot that completely blocks blood flow to part of the heart.
Several risk factors increase the likelihood of experiencing a heart attack, including:
1.Age: People with different age risks: for men – from 45 years for women – from 55 years.
2.Gender: It is more pronounced in men at a younger age, even though the risk in women also rises once they reach menopause.
3.Family history: MI risk rises as the family history of heart disease is present.
4.High blood pressure (hypertension): High blood pressure also affects the contractions of blood vessels making them prone to deposits of plaque.
5.High cholesterol: High concentrations of another form of cholesterol known as LDL or ’lousy’ cholesterol add to plaque build up.
6.Diabetes: Diabetes leads to increases of atherosclerosis and thus eventual heart attacks.
7.Smoking: Smoking also leads to atherosclerosis, and it has been known to raise the incidences of formation of blood clots.
8.Obesity: Body weight and more specifically abdominal obesity increases one’s chances of getting an MI.
9.Physical inactivity: Sedentary living increases a number of other risks associated with heart diseases.
10.Stress: Living a stressed up life can lead to the development of heart diseases.
Common Symptoms of Myocardial Infarction
Chest pain or discomfort: Best defined as a sensation of impending tragedy, of chest constriction or being weighed down. This pain can spread to the arm, shoulder or jaw, neck or even in the back.
Shortness of breath: Shortness of breath or implying that one is short of breath even when one is quietly sitting or lying down.
Sweating: Night sweating and cold sweating that cannot be explained.
Nausea or vomiting: A sickness in the stomach or a queasiness that results in vomiting.
Lightheadedness or dizziness: As seen below a feeling of dizziness and lethargy.
Fatigue: Fatigue: feeling of constant fatigue especially during mostly in the early morning when one is supposed to be most perky.
In that case, one would like to highlight the fact that not everyone feels the so-called “typical” chest pain. While most people will present the normal symptoms like chest pains, some people will experience other symptoms that are somewhat unusual, especially for women and elderly people, or people who have diabetes, may experience symptoms like nausea, indigestion or dizziness.
Basic Principles of the Diagnosis of Myocardial Infarction
In case of a suspected heart attack, physicians will carry out a number of procedures to make a conclusive diagnosis, and identify the degree of the disease. These may include:
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): This test records the electrical signals of the heart and can help identify irregular heart rates and or electrical conduction which may point to heart attack.
Blood tests: The spleen in blood tests is among the proteins and enzymes, including troponin, which are released in the bloodstream due to heart muscle cells breaks. Increase these substances can prove the heart attack.
Coronary angiography: Contrast solution is used on top of which, doctors help identify ‘problem areas’ in the blood vessels by taking X-ray images to guide a catheter into the coronary arteries.
Echocardiogram: An echocardiogram which can determine how the heart is working and amount of damage to the myocardium.
Management of SteMI
Early intervention is very important in managing heart muscle damage and enhancing outcome. Depending on the severity of the heart attack and the location of the blockage, treatment options may include:
Medications:
Aspirin: administered early to reduce the chance of getting other clots.
Thrombolytics: Anticoagulants are several medications that can be used to dissolve the clot which leads to the blockage.
Antiplatelet drugs: Agents such as clopidogrel reduce the risk of the formation of new blood clots.
Beta-blockers: These drugs cause the heart to beat slower than normal and lowers the blood pressure reducing the amount of work that the heart has to do.
ACE inhibitors: These aids to unwind blood capillaries, decrease press, and enhance work of cardiac muscle tissue.
Statins: Prescribed for the purpose of controlling cholesterol levels and preventing future heart concerns.
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI): It is a surgical action that is minimally invasive which entails passing a catheter through the arteries until the blockage is reached and a balloon is inflated to open the blocked artery. A stent may also be installed to keep the artery seems.
Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG): Extreme blockage may require that surgeons perform an operation that aims at “bypassing” the affected coronary arteries using a vessel obtained from other parts of the body.
Lifestyle modifications: Heart patients especially those who have recently suffered a heart attack are advised to embrace a heart healthy lifestyle which should include:
Avoiding high intake of foods containing saturated fats and too much of sodium in diet.
To improve the general health among the employees, the following wellbeing activity should be implemented:
Managing stress.
Avoiding cigarettes and no more drinking.
Myocardial Infarction Primary Prevention
Although one cannot erase the possibility of a heart attack, he or she can greatly employ methods to minimize them. Preventive measures include:
Healthy eating: Fruits Vegetables whole grains and lean protein food must be consumed Regularly helps in maintaining cholesterol and blood pressure of the body.
Regular exercise: AT increases cardiovascular fitness and helps regulate weight, blood pressure and cholesterol.
Weight management: Lower obesity features the likelihood of being a sufferer of heart diseases.
Avoiding smoking: There are few activities as effective in lowering the rates of heart attacks and improving the conditions of the heart as stopping smoking.
Controlling chronic conditions: It is possible to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis if one has high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol through medication and alterations in ones diet.
Conclusion
Myocardial infarction is a severe health problem which can have fatal outcome. Knowledge of its nature, signs, and management should be obtained in an aim to prevent such condition and to intervene when it develops. Today science and medical breakthroughs, as well as individuals’ improved life with better diets and changes has changed and become favorable for those who experience a heart attack. Preventing MI through healthy living is still one of the most effective ways of reducing the impact of heart disease in the world.
