Acute myocardial infarction: what is it, how do we treat it but especially how do we prevent it? | vascularte.ro

Acute myocardial infarction: what is it, how do we treat it but especially how do we prevent it?

Acute myocardial infarction: what is it, how do we treat it but especially how do we prevent it?

Content

What is an acute myocardial infarction?

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the death of a territory of the myocardium (heart muscle) caused by a lack of oxygen supply in that area.

What causes acute myocardial infarction?

Acute myocardial infarction is caused by the sudden closure of an artery that nourishes that area of ​​the heart, by a blood clot produced by the rupture of a cholesterol plaque, or by the severe narrowing of these coronary arteries by cholesterol deposits (so-called atherosclerotic plaque). . Much less often myocardial infarction can be caused by other mechanisms such as prolonged coronary spasm, coronary dissection, embolism, severe anaemia, etc.…

It is important to note that acute myocardial infarction is a potentially life-threatening condition that in some cases can be complicated by malignant arrhythmias, sudden cardiac death, cardiogenic shock, acute pulmonary oedema, etc.

Symptoms of acute myocardial infarction

The main symptoms of acute myocardial infarction are long-term chest pain and/or difficulty breathing that may be accompanied by nausea, sweating, palpitations, fainting, cold extremities.

How is acute myocardial infarction diagnosed?

The diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction is suspected in the context of chest pain suggestive of angina, accompanied by specific ECG and echocardiographic changes, for a positive diagnosis may also be necessary increased values ​​of markers of myocardial necrosis (troponin) with change in dynamics.

How do we treat myocardial infarction?

Depending on the type of acute myocardial infarction and the time that passes from the onset of symptoms to hospitalization, treatment may be by implanting one or more stents or conservative drug treatment. Sometimes open heart surgery is needed to create an aortocoronary bypass. To these are added the treatment of complications as well as the medication with prognostic benefit.

How can myocardial infarction be prevented?

The prevention of acute myocardial infarction and atherosclerotic vascular diseases, in general, is done from a young age, by controlling and preventing the risk factors for atherosclerosis as well as by optimally treating them once installed. An essential first step in preventing atherosclerosis is to approach a healthy lifestyle.

Risk factors for atherosclerosis are smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, old age, male gender, a family history of cardiac disease at a young age.

The combination of several risk factors causes an exponential increase in risk.

The article was written by Dr. Andreea Ivanescu - Cardiology specialist