Myocardial infarction called the death of the heart muscle, the cause of which is its insufficient blood supply. That is, a heart attack occurs when there is a sharp imbalance between the demand of the heart muscle (myocardium) in oxygen and its intake.
Most often, it overtakes people aged 40 to 70 years, mainly men (however, in the age category of 70 years, the number of men and women who have had a heart attack is approximately the same).
A heart attack is a very dangerous disease. About 30% of all cases of this disease are fatal before providing care in a hospital within the first hour from the onset of symptoms. During inpatient treatment, from 13% to 28% dies during the first 28 days. In the first year after a heart attack, 4% to 10% of patients die, and among people over 65 years of age - 35%.
Heart attack - causes
The most common (in 90% of cases) cause of myocardial infarction is coronary artery thrombosis, which occurs with atherosclerosis. Also, a heart attack can occur as a result of spasm of the coronary artery; blockage of a parietal thrombus or thrombus on an artificial valve; tumors; heart injuries, etc.
The risk group for myocardial infarction includes people suffering from diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, and also having high cholesterol levels in the blood, leading a sedentary lifestyle, and smokers.
Heart attack - symptoms
Myocardial infarction is manifested primarily by pain in the chest, which lasts more than 20 minutes and does not go away after taking nitroglycerin. Most often it is localized behind the sternum, but can also be felt in the left hand, neck, lower jaw, back, epigastric region, and also spread to both hands with simultaneous coverage of the back, epigastric region, neck and lower jaw. The nature of such pain is compressive, bursting, squeezing or burning.
Often myocardial infarction is manifested by arrhythmia, and sometimes its only symptom is sudden cardiac arrest.
In older people, myocardial infarction can manifest itself as signs of heart failure - shortness of breath, palpitations, or sudden bouts of sweating, nausea, dizziness, and a sharp decrease in blood pressure. If they suffer from diabetes mellitus, then a heart attack can be suspected of sharply arising weakness or short-term loss of consciousness, without clearly expressed pain sensations. From 10% to 25% of patients suffer from a painless heart attack.
Heart attack - diagnosis
The methods for diagnosing myocardial infarction include:
- electrocardiogram,
- echocardiography,
- a blood test for cardiotropic proteins (the presence of troponin in the blood, which is normally absent in the blood serum, is one of the most sensitive and early signs of a heart attack);
- ultrasound of the heart;
- chest x-ray to detect complications of a heart attack.
Heart attack - treatment and prevention
Often with a heart attack, it happens that the patient himself has to provide first aid. When angina pectoris appears, which indicates a pre-infarction condition, the patient immediately needs nitroglycerin, a tablet of which is placed under the tongue. If the pain persists within 5 minutes, a second tablet is taken, and, if necessary, another 5 minutes later - the third. In the absence of the effect of taking nitroglycerin three times and preserving the pain, an ambulance is urgently called up, before which you need to chew the aspirin tablet with water.
A patient with myocardial infarction is urgently hospitalized in an intensive care unit. It is mandatory to observe a strict bed rest for at least 24 hours, a diet that limits the intake of animal fats and salt. Further appointments include pain medication; treatment that prevents blood clots; treatment to support heart function in case of heart failure; treatment to eliminate rhythm disturbances, etc. In some cases, surgical treatment is used to restore the permeability of the coronary arteries.
After an acute period, attention should be paid to the rehabilitation treatment of the patient, which consists in combating arterial hypertension; weight loss; following a diet that excludes foods high in cholesterol and animal fats; a complete rejection of bad habits, especially smoking; physiotherapy exercises; sanatorium and resort treatment.
With proper treatment, strict adherence to all medical recommendations and competent prevention of a patient who has suffered myocardial infarction, there is every chance for a long and full life.
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