What is a Myocardial Infarction

Change in lifestyle combined with increase in stress levels have contributed to many diseases. Myocardial infarction or a heart attack is one such serious disease, which affects lots of people annually, and so, even the mild symptoms should not be neglected. As per medical statistics, it is the leading cause of death in the United States.

What is Myocardial Infarction?
Myocardial infarction is the medical term for what doctors call a heart attack. It occurs when blood supply to heart stops due to blockage of blood vessels. As the blood supply stops, the heart muscle dies or gets damaged. This blockage generally occurs when the coronary artery, which supplies the heart with blood and oxygen, is blocked. In this way, the heart is starved of oxygen and cells in it die, causing pressure. This pressure grows causing pain and eventually leads to a heart attack.

Causes
There are many reasons for a heart attack. One prime reason is deposition of cholesterol on the coronary artery walls. In medical terms, a material called plaque starts depositing on the walls of arteries. Eventually, this plaque grows and may even rupture, causing a blood clot, and stopping the blood supply to the heart. Due to plaque deposition, the artery narrows down and supply of blood to the heart is reduced. Another reason for a myocardial infarction is blockage of micro-blood vessels that supply blood to the heart. This condition is called microvascular disease, and is more common in women. Another cause for a heart attack is hardening of arteries, which cuts off blood supply to the heart. This condition is called coronary spasm. There are no definite reasons to determine why this spasm occurs, but common reasons are smoking, mental stress, intake of drugs, and exposure of the body to extreme cold. This deposition of cholesterol is a slow and gradual process, and there are many signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Some of the signs and symptoms are listed below.

Signs and Symptoms
One amongst the most common symptoms is chest pain, which is experienced by many patients. Other symptoms are:

• Pain and squeezing sensation in the chest, breathlessness and sweating.
• Jaw pain, upper back pain and arm pain.
• Sweating without any tough physical activity, severe indigestion.
• Confusion, trouble in speaking, loss of balance and coordination.
• Difficulty in seeing, severe headache, constant nausea.

Diagnosis
Severe chest pain being common sign of a heart attack, it can be diagnosed by performing required tests. But there is problem diagnosing the occurrence of a heart attack in the absence of clear symptoms. Being alert is the key to diagnose a heat attack. Electrocardiogram is one of the instruments used to confirm it. It detects for blockages and abnormalities in the heart's functioning. Another method that is used is doing blood tests. Early signs and symptoms of a heart attack should not be neglected and patients should be given prompt medical attention.

Treatment and Prevention
Prevention is better than cure, this maxim should always be kept in mind when dealing with any disease. The heart being a susceptible organ, should be properly cared for. You should make it a point to follow a healthy lifestyle from a young age, as it is of help in the long run. Exercise and morning walks should become a part and parcel of your daily routine. As food also plays a vital role in your overall health, a balanced diet should be given priority. You should also avoid eating high cholesterol foods, as cholesterol is very bad for the heart. Ideal body weight should always be maintained, as excess or less of weight could lead to complications. The treatment varies according to the level of severity and condition of the patient. In emergency conditions, the patient might need artificial breathing supplements. In less severe cases, the doctor might just prescribe some medicines. Everything depends on the specific case.

I hope I have answered all your questions on a myocardial infarction. Though deadly, it can be prevented by following a healthy lifestyle. Wish you a happy and healthy life ahead!