Acute Myocardial Infarction

Acute Myocardial Infarction – commonly referred to as a heart attack, occurs when there is an interruption in blood flow to the heart, causing some heart
cells to die.

Causes

  • Smoking
  • Atherosclerosis
  • Coronary heart disease
  • Blood clots
  • High cholesterol
  • Obesity
  • Extreme stress of emotion
  • Sudden physical exertion

Symptoms

  • Chest pain (radiating from the left)
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea
  • Palpitations
  • Sweating
  • Anxiety
  • Fatigue

Diagnosis: should be made by a doctor in a hospital

  • The quicker you are treated the better the outcome (time is measured in minutes)
  • Electrocardiogram
  • Echocardiogram
  • Blood testing for cardiac enzymes released if heart is damaged (troponin, creatine kinase)

Treatment Options:

  • Aspirin
  • Urgent cardiac catheterization and stent placement to open the occluded artery
  • Throbolytic therapy (medication to break up blood clots obstructing the artery)

Importance: heart attacks are the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States.