Myocardial infarction
Patient story: "I felt like I'd been kicked in the chest."
A quick diagnosis and emergency treatment saved Lynn Connor's life.
"I'd just got back from holiday in Cyprus and was feeling on top of the world. I had given all the grandchildren their presents, when I suddenly felt like I was being kicked in the chest by a horse. I realised I had to get to a doctor quickly.
"My GP knew immediately thatI was having a heart attack and he called an ambulance. I was lucky that I was given lifesaving, clot-busting drugs by the paramedics on the way to the hospital. That night, I was given an angioplasty, where a sort of balloon is put into your coronary artery to open it up. Five stents (stainless steel mesh) were then inserted to hold the artery open.
"Nobody knows what caused the attack, but my dad died of one when he was 66. Some say it was because I smoked 20 cigarettes a day for 40 years. It could have been stressas my granddaughter had been diagnosed with cancer the same year. I believe that it was probably a combination of things.
"After the operation, walking just 10 yards would totally wipe me out. Even eating was exhausting. But after a while, I went on a cardiac rehabilitation programme. It started off very gently. First, I did warm-up exercises, then I progressed to step-ups and the cycling machine, until finally I could go on the treadmill. I couldn't have done any of this without the help of my cardiac nurse, Lou, who was brilliant and very reassuring.
"I've always eaten a pretty healthy diet, but now I exercise more than I used to. I love swimming and try to go every day. I've alsogiven up smoking.
"I feel incredibly happy that I'm alive. Everyone else I've known who had a heart attack has died, but now I know that there can be life after a heart attack."
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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