Myocardial infarction
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.
"My first experience was many years ago. I thought it was heartburn but ended up at my local hospital, where they told me I'd had a heart attack.
"After that, I was put on a course of tablets and didn't have any more problems for the next 14 years. I stopped smoking and, with the help of the tablets, I was leading a normal life.
"However, I started smoking again, which wasnot the wisest thing to do. I was feeling so fit and healthy thatI thought I'd never have aheart attack again, but I did. And after this second heart attack, I had another onea month or two later.The doctors decided thatI needed a heart bypass operation.
"I remember waking up in intensive careabout 10 hours after the operation. Istayed there for about two days, before being moved to the normal ward. The doctors had me up and walking pretty much immediately. I was in hospital for about a week.
"On my first day home, I was visited by a cardiac nurse. For the next week or so,I had to hold a cushion every time I was about tosneeze because it hurt.
"Once I'd recovered, I went to the gym in my local community centre, where I met other people who'd had the same problem. It was useful chatting with them about a common condition.
"I now take three tablets every morning and one at night. It's a small price to pay.
"You don't have to sit in a corner and be woeful all day.I got married andhad a son after my first heart attack.Life certainly doesn't end after you've had 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.
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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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