Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)
A Heart Attack (medically known as Myocardial Infarction) occurs when the blood flow to the heart is reduced or blocked. This blockage occurs due to the build-up of fatty deposits in the walls of the arteries supplying blood to the heart and results in a poor oxygen supply to the heart muscle. If the blood flow is not restored promptly, the affected heart tissue dies.
Some patients experience chest pains when a heart attack occurs, but others present no symptoms at all. It is crucial to recognise the warning signs of a Heart Attack because it can largely be prevented.
Causes Of Myocardial Infarction
The most common cause of a Heart Attack is the narrowing of one or more of the arteries that supply blood to the heart. This results from the build-up of cholesterol deposits in the wall of these arteries (a process known as Atherosclerosis). This restricts blood flow to the heart muscle, compromising the supply of oxygen.
There are modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors associated with a heart attack.
- Modifiable risk factors:
- Life-style factors like smoking, lack of exercise and an unhealthy diet
- Treatable conditions including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes
- non-modifiable risk factors:
- Age, a strong family history of the disease, ethnicity, gender (men are 3 to 5 times more prone to having a heart attack than women)
- Menopause (loss of natural oestrogen increases a woman’s risk of heart disease)
Symptoms Of Myocardial Infarction
The most crucial symptoms to look out for include:
- Tight chest pain; as if a heavy object has been placed on the chest, especially across the middle of the chest, with the pain lasting for more than one minute
- Shooting pain which travels up to the neck, jaw, shoulders, and arms on both sides
- Sweating
- Feeling tired easily / fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Rapid heartbeat
Do not ignore these warning signs. If you experience any of these symptoms, see a doctor immediately.
Treatment Of Myocardial Infarction
The aim of the treatment is to unblock the affected artery promptly in order to minimise the extent of damage to the heart muscle. Your doctor will evaluate the severity of your condition and perform the most effective way to unblock the artery. This may include:
- A surgical procedure called a Coronary Angioplasty, where is a small balloon or a stent is inserted into the blocked artery to help re-open it and restore blood flow.
- Coronary Bypass Surgery (CABG)-To bypass the blockage of the coronary arteries, the surgeon makes a small opening just below the blockage in the diseased coronary artery. If a saphenous (leg) vein or radial (arm) artery is used, one end is connected to the coronary artery and the other to the aorta.
- Cardiac rehabilitation: A programme that aims to help you achieve a healthier heart after your heart attack by attempting to eliminate risk factors
- Medicines:
- Anti-coagulants to dissolve blood clots
- To reduce the risk of another heart attack
- To relieve chest pain
- To control diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol
Complications Of Myocardial Infarction
- Arrhythmia, or abnormal heart beat
- Cardiogenic shock
- Damage to the heart valves
- Heart failure, resulting in the inability of the heart to pump blood effectively around the body
