Myocardial infarction, or heart attack, is a sudden and severe interruption of blood flow to a part of the heart muscle, resulting in the destruction of heart cells or even necrosis due to lack of oxygen.
The main cause of myocardial infarction is the detachment of a part of the atherosclerotic plaque that has been deposited in the coronary arteries (the arteries that supply the heart with blood) which has blocked the flow of blood in an artery. This blockage leads to a reduction or interruption of blood flow to a part of the heart muscle, resulting in the destruction of heart cells. More rarely, myocardial infarction can be caused by other causes, such as the rupture of a coronary artery, very high blood pressure and heart rhythm disorders.
Symptoms of a heart attack
Patients with the following symptoms should act immediately to avoid the risk of even sudden death. Myocardial infarction is a dangerous condition. Early diagnosis and proper treatment can reduce damage and increase the chances of a full recovery.
In case of severe symptoms and when communication with the Cardiologist is not possible, immediate transport to the nearest Health Unit or Hospital is required as an emergency and, while on the move, inform him.
The symptoms of a heart attack are:
- Severe pain or a feeling of pressure in the chest which may spread to the neck, left arm, jaw or back.
- Shortness of breath.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Cold sweat, dizziness.
- Women especially need attention, because the pain may be mild and confused with other conditions.
Diagnosis of myocardial infarction
The diagnosis of a myocardial infarction is made by:
- Clinical examination and reporting of symptoms.
- Electrocardiogram, which shows the electrical activity of the heart during or after the infarction.
- Blood tests to detect increased levels of enzymes (such as troponin), which are released by damaged heart cells.
- Triplex heart, to assess heart function and the extent of damage.
Treatment of myocardial infarction
Treatment for myocardial infarction includes immediate medical intervention to restore blood flow in the arteries of the heart with special medication in order to dissolve the clot blocking the artery, to reduce the intensity of the heart’s function and its burden.
This is followed by invasive treatment of the problem with angioplasty and stent placement to keep the artery open or, if necessary, cardiac bypass surgery, so that blood circulation follows another route and not through the blocked arteries.
After the operation, the patient enters a special cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program to strengthen cardiac function and prevent future episodes, which are not excluded even during the patient’s stay in the hospital/clinic.
The patient who has suffered a myocardial infarction is systematically monitored by a Cardiologist and special diagnostic tests.
The Doctor administers treatment depending on the damage that the infarction has caused to part of the myocardium or the effects (e.g. heart failure). Long-term medication is a given to regulate risk factors, such as cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes. He will also give special instructions regarding the patient’s daily life and will perform diagnostic tests for the patient’s health status, at regular intervals.
If interventional treatment is required, then an Interventional Cardiologist takes over and performs Angioplasty (PTCA) in a Hemodynamic Laboratory where a balloon is used to dilate the narrowed arteries followed by stent placement to keep the artery(s) open. If the patient’s case is not suitable for angioplasty, then a Cardiac Surgeon performs a bypass surgery (CABG) with grafts from other parts of the body.
