Myocardial infarction, or a heart attack, occurs when a coronary artery becomes blocked. Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, and nausea. Risk factors include age, family history, smoking, obesity, and high blood pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary, and treatment may include medication or surgery. Lifestyle adjustments can help prevent heart attacks.
A myocardial infarction is a heart attack. Heart attacks occur when a coronary artery becomes blocked. Symptoms of a myocardial infarction include chest pain, shortness of breath, and a host of other physical signs. Seeking immediate treatment can improve your chances of survival.
Interruption of the blood supply to the heart causes myocardial infarction. There are several reasons why this can occur. Atherosclerosis, a narrowing of the arteries due to plaque buildup, is one possibility. Other possibilities include the presence of a blood clot or a spasm of a coronary artery. The spasms are often seen with drug use, such as cocaine, and are a rare cause of heart attacks.
There are many possible symptoms of myocardial infarction. Crushing pain in the chest, pain extending to the shoulder or jaw, and shortness of breath are just a few. Other symptoms include nausea, sweating and a feeling of impending doom.
Women may experience additional symptoms. This can include abdominal pain, clammy skin and dizziness. Also, women may notice sudden or unusual fatigue.
Several risk factors can increase a person’s risk of having a myocardial infarction. Men over the age of 45 and women over the age of 55 have a higher risk of a heart attack. Those with a family history of heart attacks also have a higher risk of experiencing a myocardial infarction.
Lifestyle choices also contribute to the likelihood of suffering a heart attack. Smoking can damage the arteries leading to the heart and increase the risk of blood clots. Obesity, lack of physical activity, and high stress levels also increase a person’s risk of suffering a heart attack. Other risk factors include diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.
Someone who is experiencing symptoms of a heart attack needs immediate medical attention. Call for emergency help. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), when performed by a trained professional or by a bystander following directions from emergency personnel, can help maintain oxygen flow to the body and brain while awaiting help.
Depending on the severity of the heart attack, treatment may vary. Medications such as aspirin, blood thinners, nitroglycerin, and pain relievers may be prescribed by a doctor to help manage symptoms and prevent further damage. In severe cases, surgeries such as angioplasty or bypass surgery may be performed to open or bypass blocked arteries.
Proper lifestyle adjustments can help prevent or reduce the chances of myocardial infarction. This includes eating a healthy diet and participating in a regular exercise regimen. Reducing stress and not smoking are some of the other changes recommended to help prevent a heart attack from occurring or recurring.
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