Myocardial infarction is more commonly known as a heart attack, and this condition affects roughly 720,000 people in the U.S. every year. According to The Heart Foundation, someone in the United States experiences a heart attack every 34 seconds.
A heart attack is the result of a blockage of blood flow to the heart. When blood flow is interrupted, it can cause part of the heart muscle to be damaged or to die completely. Because of the high mortality risk of myocardial infarction, it is important to seek emergency medical attention immediately if you suspect you might be experiencing the symptoms of a heart attack.
Symptoms
Myocardial infarction symptoms and their severity will vary by individual, but the most recognized symptoms include:
- Tightness, pain, or pressure in your arms or chest that might spread to your back, neck, or jaw.
- Shortness of breath
- Sudden dizziness or lightheadedness
- Cold sweat
- Nausea, indigestion, or heart burn
- Fatigue
Some of these symptoms can present themselves up to a week in advance, or they might strike suddenly. The more signs and symptoms you are experiencing, the more likely that you are experiencing a heart attack. It is important to act immediately if you recognize any of these symptoms at any point; many people wait too long to seek medical care because they don’t realize the severity of their seemingly harmless symptoms.
If you are already at risk for myocardial infarction, you might have a prescription for nitroglycerin, which is a medication you can take while waiting for emergency help. If you are able to take aspirin, this can also be beneficial since it can prevent your blood from clotting and therefore help reduce potential heart damage.
Risk Factors
There are many factors that can contribute to a higher risk of heart attack. The most common include:
- Smoking – Long-term cigarette smoking or consistent exposure to second-hand smoke can increase your risk significantly.
- Age – You are more likely to have a heart attack if you are a man aged 45 or older or a woman aged 55 or older.
- High cholesterol – Having higher levels of low-density lipoprotein, which is also called the “bad” cholesterol, makes you more susceptible to the narrowing of arteries. On the other hand, if you have high levels of high-density lipoprotein, which is the “good” cholesterol, your risk for heart attack is lowered.
- Family history – If your immediate family has experienced heart attacks, you might have an increased risk as well.
- High blood pressure – If your high blood pressure is a result of obesity, smoking, high cholesterol, or diabetes, you have an even higher risk.
- Diabetes – Since diabetes affects your blood sugar levels, this condition puts you at an increased risk for cardiovascular problems.
- Obesity – If you are obese, you are more likely to develop high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes—all of which put you at higher risk for heart attack.
- Stress – Depending on the way your body responds to high-stress environments, your risk may increase.
- Inactive lifestyle – If you are getting regular aerobic exercise, your cardiovascular health will reap the benefits. Complete lack of physical activity will have the opposite effect.
- Illegal drug use – Stimulant drugs, especially cocaine or amphetamines, are likely to trigger spasms in your coronary arteries, which can cause a heart attack.
Treatments
The main concern when you are experiencing a heart attack is to restore blood flow to the heart as quickly as possible in order to minimize the damage to the muscle and tissue of the heart. There are several medications that medical personnel may give to you if you are experiencing a heart attack,. These include aspirin, thrombolytics, antiplatelet agents, blood thinners, pain relievers, nitroglycerin, beta blockers, and ACE inhibitors. These drugs work in a variety of ways to both restore blood flow and reduce stress on the heart.
There are surgical procedures that can treat myocardial infarction, as well as work to prevent further attacks. The most common procedures are coronary angioplasties, stenting, and coronary artery bypass surgery. Heart attacks will usually result in a prolonged stay at the hospital after you are stable and blood flow has been restored so your body has the chance to heal and your doctor can decide which prevention steps you should take.
