Myocardial infarction
Causes
Heart attacks are causedby the blood supply to the heartbeing suddenly interrupted. Without this supply, heart muscles may be damaged and begin to die.
Without treatment,the heart muscles will experience irreversible damage.
If a large portion of the heart is damaged in this way, the heart stops beating (known as a cardiac arrest), resulting in death.
Coronary heart disease
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of heart attacks. CHD is a condition in which the coronary arteries (the major blood vessels that supply the heart with blood) get clogged up with deposits of cholesterol. These deposits are called plaques.
Before a heart attack, one of the plaques ruptures (bursts), causing a blood clot to develop at the site of the rupture. The clot may block the supply of blood to the heart, triggering a heart attack.
Your risk of developing CHD is increased by:
- smoking
- a high-fat diet
- diabetes
- high cholesterol
- high blood pressure
- being overweight or obese
Read about the causes of CHD .
Less common causes
Some less common causes are described below.
Drug misuse
Stimulants such as cocaine, amphetamines (speed) and methamphetamines(crystal meth) can causecoronary arteries to narrow, restricting blood supply and triggering a heart attack.
Heart attacksfrom the use of cocaine are one of the most common causes of sudden death in young people.
Lack of oxygen in the blood (hypoxia)
If levels of oxygen in the blood decrease due to carbon monoxide poisoning or a loss of normal lung function, the heart will receive un-oxygenated blood.
This will result in the heart muscles being damaged, triggering a heart attack.
Angina
Angina is chest pain caused by a reduced flow of blood to the heart, typically resulting from heart disease.
Artery
Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
Blood
Blood supplies oxygen to the body and removes carbon dioxide. It is pumped around the body by the heart.
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a fatty substance made by the body found in blood and tissue. It is used to make bile acid, hormones and vitamin D.
Heart
The heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood around the body.
Heart attack,
A heart attack happens when there is a blockage in one of the arteries in the heart.
Heart bypass
A heart (coronary) bypass is surgery to redirect the flow of blood around a clogged artery, by creating a new pathway for blood to travel in.
High blood pressure
Hypertension is when the pressure of the blood in your bloodstream is regularly above 140/90 mmHG.
Obese
Obesity is when a person has an abnormally high amount of body fat.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 16 Nov 2016
Introduction
A heart attack (myocardial infarction or MI) is a serious medical emergency in which the supply of blood to the heart is suddenly blocked, usually by a blood clot.
Symptoms
Read about symptoms of a heart attacks, including chest pain, shortness of breath, feeling and being sick, and anxiety
Causes
Heart attacks are caused by the blood supply to the heart being suddenly interrupted, usually by a blood clot
Diagnosis
If a heart attack is suspected, you should be admitted to hospital immediately. You will usually be admitted to an acute cardiac care unit (ACCU) so the diagnosis can be confirmed and treatment begin.
Treatment
Read about treating a heart attacks, including an ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)
Complications
Read about complications of a heart attack. Complications of a heart attack can vary widely, from mild to life threatening.
Recover from a heart attack
Read about recovering from a heart attack. Recovery can take several months, and it's very important not to rush your rehabilitation
Prevention
Making lifestyle changes is the most effective way to prevent having a heart attack (or having another heart attack).
Patient story: "I thought it would never happen to me again, but it did."
Mike Smith has had three heart attacks. As he nears 60 and enjoys life to the full, he explains how the attacks affected him.
Patient story: "My heart was racing ... the pain was awful."
After a heart attack Debbie Siddons was too scared to pick up her 18-month-old baby. Rehabilitation helped her move on.
Patient story: "I felt like I'd been kicked in the chest."
Following a heart attack, a quick diagnosis and emergency treatment saved Lynn Connors life.
Doctor - patient conversation
Doctor enquires about breathing because patients often exhibit respiratory issues to the point of passing out. Doctor immediately recommends an EcG. Through the EcG, one determine the positioning of the ischemia, the degree of heart muscle involved in the ischemia.
What is an infarct?
Infarct is an ischemic necrosis of the myocardis, which comes as a consequence of the acute insufficiency of the coronary arteries. This comes as a consequence of the obstruction of coronary muscle blood vessels by a thrombus.
What are the symptoms of myocardial infarction?
The most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort that may travel into the shoulder, arm, back, neck, or jaw. Often it is in the center or left side of the chest and lasts for more than a few minutes.
What are the complications that might occur?
Complications that might occur are: cardiogenic shock; progressive cardiogenic shock; septal rupture, rhythm disruptions; pericarditis, thromboembolism, left ventricle aneurysm.
What are the risk factors of myocardial infarction?
Some of the risk factors of myocardial infarction include: hypertonic disease, disruptions in the metabolism of lipids, obesity, inherited hypercholesterolemia, biliary problems, age (above 50 years old), etc.
How is myocardial infarction treated?
Pre-hospital treatment is very important, due to its crucial involvement in preserving and potentially saving the patient’s life. Aiding and transporting the patient to the hospital immediately hold primary importance in saving the patient’s life.
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