What Is Myocardial Infarction?
A myocardial infarction (known more commonly as a
heart attack) occurs when the supply of blood and oxygen to an area of heart muscle is blocked, usually by a clot in a coronary artery. Often, this blockage leads to arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat or rhythm) that can cause a severe decrease in the pumping function of the heart and may bring about sudden death. If the blockage is not treated within a few hours, the affected heart muscle will die and be replaced by scar tissue.
Each year, more than a million people in the United States have a myocardial infarction. About half (515,000) of these people die as a result. About one-half of those who die do so within one hour of the start of symptoms and before reaching the hospital.
Clearly, a myocardial infarction is a life-threatening event. Everyone should know the warning signs and how to get emergency help. Many people suffer permanent damage to their hearts or die because they do not get help immediately.
Emergency personnel can often stop arrhythmias with emergency CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), defibrillation (electrical shock), and prompt advanced cardiac life support procedures. If care is sought soon enough, blood flow in the blocked artery can be restored in time to prevent permanent damage to the heart. Yet most people do not seek medical care for two hours or more after their symptoms begin. Many people wait 12 hours or longer.
A myocardial infarction is an emergency. Call 911 if you think you (or someone else) may be having a myocardial infarction. Prompt treatment can help prevent or limit lasting damage to the heart and can prevent sudden death.
Signs and Symptoms of Myocardial Infarction
One of the primary signs of a myocardial infarction is chest pain that may also spread to the back, shoulders, arms, neck, or jaw. Other symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Dizziness.
Symptoms can vary. In fact, some people have no symptoms at all. However, it is important to recognize the signs of a myocardial infarction so that you can act fast to get treatment.
Unfortunately, many myocardial infarction victims wait two hours or more after their symptoms begin before they seek medical help. This delay can result in death or lasting heart damage.
The amount of damage from a myocardial infarction depends on how much of the heart is affected, how soon treatment begins, and other factors.
Diagnosis and treatment of a myocardial infarction can begin when emergency medical personnel arrive after you call 911. At the hospital emergency room, doctors will work fast to find out if you are having or have had a myocardial infarction and give you treatment.
If you are having a myocardial infarction, doctors will work quickly to restore blood flow to the heart and continuously monitor vital signs to detect and treat complications.
Long-term treatment after a myocardial infarction may include:
After a myocardial infarction, most people are able to return to their normal activities. Ask your doctor when you should return to:
- Driving
- Physical activity
- Work
- Sexual activity
- Strenuous activities
- Air travel.
If you have had a myocardial infarction, it is important to have an emergency action plan in case it happens again. Talk to your doctor about your plan, and make sure that your family members understand it.
Preventing a Myocardial Infarction
There is an old saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This is definitely the case with
heart disease and myocardial infarctions. As a largely preventable disease, a person can lower his or her chance of a myocardial infarction through knowledge and choices. Knowledge involves understanding myocardial infarctions,
heart disease, and the associated risk factors; choices means making good decisions to control these risk factors.
Regardless of your age, background, or health status, you can lower your risk of having a myocardial infarction -- and it doesn't have to be complicated. Protecting your heart can be as simple as taking a brisk walk, whipping up a good vegetable soup, or getting the support you need to maintain a healthy weight.
