Myocardial Infarction (MI) – A Silent Killer!

Overview:

Commonly known as a heart attack, Myocardial infarction is a life-threatening medical emergency in which the heart muscle begins to die due to a lack of blood flow. The most common cause is a blockage in the arteries that supply blood to your heart. A blockage in one or more of your heart’s arteries can cause a lack of blood flow, which can be caused by a variety of factors. A heart attack (myocardial infarction) can result in permanent heart damage and death if blood flow is not restored quickly. There are multiple Myocardial Infarction Clinical Trials in Michigan to understand how the condition works and the best potential treatments that may be able to help with the symptoms. 

Acute Myocardial Infarction (MI):

Acute myocardial infarction is a potentially fatal condition in which blood flow to the heart muscle is suddenly cut off, causing tissue damage.

A blockage in one or more of the coronary arteries is usually the cause. A blockage can form as a result of plaque buildup, which consists primarily of fat, cholesterol, and cellular waste products, or as a result of a blood clot forming on the blockage.

Every year, approximately 635,000 people in the United States suffer from heart attacks. Every year, about 300,000 people suffer a second heart attack. 

What causes acute MI?

The vast majority of heart attack (myocardial infarction) are caused by a blockage in one of your heart’s blood vessels. Plaque, a sticky substance that can build up on the insides of your arteries, is the most common cause of this condition. Atherosclerosis is the name for this buildup.

Plaque deposits inside the coronary (heart) arteries can rupture or break open, causing a blood clot to form where the rupture occurred. If the clot blocks the artery, the heart muscle will be deprived of blood, resulting in a heart attack.

Heart attacks can occur without a blockage, but they are uncommon, accounting for only about 5% of all heart attacks.

This kind of heart attack can happen for a variety of reasons:

Arterial spasm:

Your blood vessels have a muscle lining that allows them to expand or contract as needed. When those muscles twitch or spasm, blood flow to the heart muscle is cut off.

Uncommon medical conditions:

Any disease that causes unusual blood vessel narrowing is an example of this.

Tears or ruptures in the coronary arteries are examples of trauma.

Obstruction that originated somewhere else in the body: An embolism is a blood clot or air bubble that becomes trapped in a coronary artery.

Electrolyte imbalances:

Having too much or too little of certain minerals in your blood, such as potassium, can lead to a heart attack.

Eating disorders:

An eating disorder can damage your heart over time, eventually leading to a heart attack.

What are the risk factors for acute MI?

There are two types of heart attack risk factors.

Inherited (genetic) factors:

Risk factors that are inherited or genetic are present at birth and cannot be changed, but can be improved through medical treatment and lifestyle changes. Such as:

• People who have a family history of high blood pressure (hypertension)
• People who have inherited low HDL cholesterol levels, high LDL cholesterol levels, or high triglyceride levels
• People suffering from type 1 diabetes.
  

Acquired factors:

Acquired risk factors are the result of activities we choose to include in our lives, and they can be managed through lifestyle changes and clinical care.

• People who have developed high blood pressure
• People who have acquired low HDL cholesterol levels, high LDL cholesterol levels, or high triglyceride levels
• Cigarette smokers
• Stress 
• Alcoholics
• Physical inactivity
• Obesity
• People with type 2 diabetes
  

How are heart attacks diagnosed?

Typically, heart attacks are diagnosed in the emergency room. A heart attack is diagnosed by a doctor based on the following criteria:

History and symptoms:

The provider will inquire about your symptoms. If you were accompanied by someone, the provider may also ask them to describe what happened.

Lab tests:

Heart attacks cause a specific chemical marker to appear in your blood.

Heart-specific diagnostic tests:

Tests that detect and record electrical activity in your heart.

Imaging tests:

These allow providers to “see” inside your heart. Many of these tests can also pinpoint the site of a blood flow obstruction, which can help guide treatment.

Among the other tests used to diagnose a heart attack are:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG) (abbreviated as EKG or ECG)
• Blood tests
• Echocardiogram
• Angiogram:
• Computed tomography (CT) scan 
• MRI 
• Nuclear cardiograms:

What are the symptoms of acute MI?

There are a variety of symptoms that can accompany a heart attack (myocardial infarction), some of which are more common than others. Some people only have minor signs and symptoms. Others have more severe signs and symptoms. Some people show no signs or symptoms.

The following are the most common symptoms reported by people who have had a heart attack:

• Chest tightness, pain, squeezing, or aching sensations in the chest
• Pain or discomfort that spreads to the shoulder, arm, back, neck, jaw, teeth, or upper abdomen.
• Sweating/ Dysphoria
• Fatigue
• Indigestion or heartburn
• Sudden dizziness or lightheadedness
• Nausea
• Breathing problems
• Women may experience unusual symptoms such as sharp or brief pain in the neck, arm, or back. Sudden cardiac arrest is sometimes the first symptom of a heart attack.

The symptoms can be mild, causing discomfort or heaviness, or severe, causing excruciating pain. They may begin in your chest and spread (or radiate) to other parts of your body, such as your left arm (or both arms), shoulder, neck, jaw, back, or down to your waist.

What are the complications of Acute MI?

Heart attack complications include the following:

• Arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms): Medication, pacemaker placement, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator placement, and other options are available for treatment.
• Heart failure: If enough heart tissue dies, your heart becomes weakened and unable to pump blood effectively, leading to heart failure.
• Heart valve issues: Your heart valves may be affected depending on the area of heart damage. Heart valve problems can be treated with catheter-based procedures or surgery.
• Sudden cardiac arrest: Arrhythmia can cause your heart to stop suddenly.
• Depression and anxiety: Consult with your doctor. Medication and counseling are used to manage the condition. Participating in a support group can be beneficial.

How do you reduce the risk of having a Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)?

Although there are several risk factors over which you have no control, there are many things you can do to help yourself and reduce your chances of having a heart attack. These are some examples:

• Schedule an appointment: Find a physician and schedule a checkup or wellness visit with them at least once a year. Many of the early warning signs of heart disease, including those that you cannot feel, can be detected during an annual checkup. These include your blood pressure, sugar levels, cholesterol levels, and other factors.
• Tobacco cessation products: This includes all vaping products and smokeless tobacco.
• Regular exercise: Aim for 20 to 30 minutes of moderately intense exercise per week.
• Healthy diet:  such as the Mediterranean or Dash diets. A plant-based diet is a fantastic alternative.
• Maintain a healthy weight: Your primary care provider can help you set a healthy goal weight and provide resources and guidance to help you reach it.
• Manage your pre-existing medical conditions: High cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes are all examples.
• Stress reduction: Consider yoga, deep breathing, and meditation techniques.
• Take your medications as directed: Take medications only when you remember or when you have a doctor’s appointment.
• Maintain all of your medical appointments: Seeing your doctor on a regular basis can help you discover heart problems or other medical issues you were unaware of. This can also aid in the treatment of problems sooner rather than later.

How is acute myocardial infarction treated?

Heart attack (myocardial infarction) require immediate medical attention. The main goal is to restore blood flow to the affected heart muscle as soon as possible. This can occur through a variety of means, ranging from medication to surgery. 

Medications:

A variety of medications have been used to treat a heart attack, dissipate blood clots, relieve pain, or slow your heart rate.

• To break up blood clots and improve blood flow through narrowed arteries, aspirin and other blood thinners are commonly used.
• To dissolve blood clots, thrombolytics are frequently used.
• Clopidogrel and other antiplatelet drugs can be used to prevent new clot formation and the growth of existing clots.
• Nitroglycerin can help to dilate your blood vessels.
• Beta-blockers lower blood pressure while relaxing the heart muscle. This can help to mitigate the severity of heart damage.
• ACE inhibitors can also be used to lower blood pressure and reduce stress on the heart.
• To alleviate any discomfort, pain relievers may be used.
• Diuretics can help reduce fluid buildup and thus reduce the workload on the heart.
  

Coronary artery bypass surgery:

Patients with severe coronary artery blockages may undergo coronary artery bypass grafting. This procedure is also known as open-heart surgery, bypass surgery, or CABG (pronounced “cabbage”).

CABG entails taking a blood vessel from another part of the body (usually your chest, arm, or leg) and using it to create a detour for blood. This redirects blood flow around the blocked artery segment (or more than one artery; a double bypass goes around two arteries, three is a triple, and so on).

Takeaway:

Acute myocardial infarction, also known as a heart attack, is a serious condition in which the blood flow to the heart is interrupted and necessitates immediate medical attention.

Fortunately, there are numerous ways to avoid complications and minimize long-term health effects associated with this condition. There are multiple Clinical Research Organizations near you that may be able to help you and countless others suffering from this condition. Maintaining your treatment regimen, making healthy lifestyle changes, and avoiding triggers can all help you manage this condition.

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