Myocardial infarction (heart attack) is a health crisis in which the blood supply to the heart is abruptly and significantly interrupted, resulting in the heart muscle dying due to oxygen deprivation. Over one million people worldwide suffer from myocardial infarction annually. A heart attack will be the first symptom of coronary artery disease for many of them.
Myocardial infarction can be serious enough to lead to death, or it might be what is called a "silent" heart attack. A silent heart attack is a myocardial infarction that is either asymptomatic or so mild that it isn't recognized as a heart attack. Although a silent heart attack might not seem as severe or scary as a major myocardial infarction, it is a dangerous medical event that can leave you vulnerable to future heart failure or cardiac arrest.
At CardioVascular Health Clinic, we offer comprehensive heart care services, helping patients improve and preserve their heart health.
A myocardial infarction is typically caused by coronary artery disease (CAD). Coronary artery disease is the predominant type of heart disease in the U.S. It is caused by an accumulation of arterial plaques (cholesterol deposits) that inhibit blood flow to the heart. When pieces of the plaque rupture or burst, a blood clot forms at the site. The clot then lodges in the narrowed artery, causing a partial or complete blockage.
Blood clots not only raise your risk of myocardial infarction, but they can also inhibit blood flow to the brain, leading to a stroke.
While coronary artery disease is the prevalent cause of myocardial infarctions, they can also be caused by arterial spasms. A spasm occurs when an unblocked blood vessel constricts and prevents blood flow to the heart. Other causes of myocardial infarction include:
Common symptoms of myocardial infarction include:
Please call 911 immediately if you are experiencing the above symptoms.
Myocardial infarction and heart disease risk factors include the following:
Myocardial infarction treatments vary depending on the severity of the event. While some patients might require surgical intervention, others might be given thrombolytic medications to dissolve the blood clot that caused the heart attack.
Some myocardial infarction treatment options include:
Medications: Medications that are commonly administered post-heart attack include aspirin, ACE inhibitors, blood thinners, nitroglycerin, or beta blockers. These drugs dilate the blood vessels, reduce blood pressure, and lower stress on the heart muscle.
Surgery: Surgical intervention might be warranted to open a severely blocked artery. A common procedure is a coronary angioplasty and stenting, where the physician inserts a tube into the artery and inflates a balloon to widen the passage. A wire-mesh tube, called s stent, is then inserted to hold the artery open and allow blood flow.
Another surgical intervention is coronary artery bypass surgery (open-heart surgery). This surgical procedure uses a healthy blood vessel to redirect blood flow around the blocked artery.
Cardiac rehabilitation: Cardiac rehabilitation is a customized heart health program that begins during hospitalization and continues throughout the recovery process. It involves incorporating regular exercise, stress management, and healthy eating habits into the patient’s normal routine. A team of physical therapists, nutritionists, and counselors manage the program.
If you have concerns about your heart health, please contact our helpful representatives to schedule a screening today.
