If you’re like most people, you probably think of heart disease as a problem for older adults. After all, the average person reaches their late 60s or 70s before they experience the first symptoms of heart disease. But this is not always the case. In fact, heart disease can strike at any age, and it’s more common than you may think. In this blog post, we’ll explore the causes of myocardial infarction (MI), and discuss the various symptoms that may signal that you’re in danger. We’ll also offer some tips on how to treat MI if it does occur.
What is a myocardial infarction?
Myocardial infarction is an acute, serious heart problem. It happens when part of the heart muscle dies. Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Treatment includes medication and/or surgery.
Symptoms of a Myocardial Infarction
There are many symptoms of myocardial infarction (MI), but the most common are chest pain, shortness of breath, and sweating. Some people have no symptoms at all.
The heart is a muscle and when it doesn’t get the blood it needs, it can start to die. This is what can happen with a MI. There are several things that can cause a MI:
- A blood clot in an artery (ischemia)
- A blockage in one of the coronary arteries that deliver oxygen-rich blood to the heart (myocardial infarction)
How is a Myocardial Infarction Diagnosed?
A myocardial infarction, or heart attack, is a serious medical condition in which the heart muscle becomes damaged. Symptoms of a myocardial infarction can vary, and can include chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea and vomiting, lightheadedness, confusion, or hallucinations.
To diagnose a myocardial infarction, your doctor will perform an electrocardiogram (ECG) to check for signs of heart failure. If the results of the ECG indicate that you have a myocardial infarction, your doctor may also perform other tests to determine the cause of your symptoms. Treatment for a myocardial infarction depends on the severity of the condition and may include medication to reduce chest pain and blood pressure medications to lower blood sugar levels. If necessary, surgery may be performed to remove blockages in the arteries leading to the heart.
Treatments for Myocardial Infarctions
There are a number of treatments for heart attacks, and the best one for each person depends on the cause and extent of the problem. In most cases, the goal is to reduce or stop the blood flow to the heart muscle so that it can heal.
Treatment for severe heart attack symptoms may include:
- CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) if there is an obvious cardiac arrest
- chest compressions if there is CPR failure or if other methods are not working
- mouth-to-mouth resuscitation if there is cardiopulmonary arrest
- Intravenous fluids and medications to improve blood flow and prevent organ damage
- Angiography (a diagnostic procedure that uses a dye to visualize arterial vessels) to identify blockages in arteries
- Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) if an artery near the heart is blocked or gone
When to Seek Medical Attention After a Myocardial Infarction
If you experience any of the following symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention: chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, lightheadedness, nausea or vomiting.
There is no one definitive answer as to when to seek medical attention after a myocardial infarction (MI). In general, however, if you experience symptoms that suggest your heart is not functioning properly (such as chest pain or shortness of breath) it is important to seek medical attention.