An Overview of Myocardial Infraction Or Heart Attack

Myocardial Infarction, also known as heart attack, coronary thrombosis, or coronary occlusion is the sudden blocking of one or more of the coronary arteries. If the blocked artery involves an extensive area, the person may die. If not, there will still be necrosis of heart tissue and scarring, but other vessels may be able to take over for the damaged areas.

If a MI is suspected, it is imperative that the patient seeks medical attention immediately. An electrocariogram will be done along with several blood tests to assess the severity of the attack. The sedimentation rate of the red blood cells almost always is higher after a myocardial infarction.

The biggest threats after a heart attack are arrhythmias and cardiac standstill. An abnormal heart rate and rhythms in a patient after a heart attack often means the left ventricle is not pumping adequately. Congestive heart failure may be a threat at this time.

Symptoms of a heart attack may begin suddenly, with a sharp, sever pain in the chest which may radiate to the left arm and shoulder. Other symptoms may include restlessness and confusion; the skin may be cold and clammy, dyspnea, cyanosis, a drop in blood pressure, and a drop in body temperature. A rapid and irregular pulse may also be a sign of a resent MI.

In the beginning of the twentieth century, bedrest was the only thing that could be done for heart attacks. Then nitroglycerin was found to restore coronary circulation and relieve the pain. Digitalis was found effective for treating abnormal heart rhythms and diuretics were found effective to remove water, which reduced hypertension. With these and many other treatments, cardiology became one of the most dramatic fields in medical history (Kenneth, 674).

Another big concern of cardiac patients is the prevention of a second heart attack. There are several tests that can be preformed to evaluate the condition of a patient. The doctor may wish for the patient to wear a heart monitor, also referred to as an ambulatory electrocardiograph or Holter monitor. This device makes a graphic record of the electric currents generated by the heart. The purpose of the ambulatory electrocardiograph is to document and describe the occurrences of abnormal electrical behavior of the heart. This is done over a period of time while the patient goes about his normal daily activities. It will help to determine if the heart malfunctions occur random, spontaneous, while the patient is asleep, or while under stress.

The doctor may also wish to perform other tests such as cardiac catheterization or a coronary arteriograph. A cardiac catheterization is a procedure where a doctor guides a thin plastic tube through an artery or vein in the arm or leg into the heart and coronary arteries in the heart. It is done to measure blood pressure and oxygen in the blood. It also provides information about the pumping ability of the heart muscle. During an arteriography, opaque dye is injected into the bloodstream and then x-rays are taken to see if the arteries are damaged or occluded.

The blood pressure of all cardiac patients must be watched carefully. A sphygmomanometer is the instrument used to measure blood pressure. This test measures systolic pressure when the heart beats and diastolic pressure when the heart is at rest. Although blood pressure readings may vary, a typical reading for an adult would be around 130/80.

Many doctors focus on preventive medicine, which includes teaching the importance of diet, exercise, and ways to relieve stress. Stress can refer to physical as well as mental tension. There is a lot of scientific evidence that points to a link between the risk of heart disease and psychosocial and environmental factors such as job stress, social isolation and certain personality traits.

Diet is an important factor in preventing heart attacks. Foods that are low in fat and cholesterol are easily available in these days and times because so many people are health conscience. Special attention should be paid to serving size, as most people tend to over eat. Potassium is an important element as well as an electrolyte that is essential for the body's growth and maintenance. Some foods that are high in potassium include bananas, cantaloupe, oranges, and tomato juice. It is best to check with your doctor about a diet if you are at risk for any cardiac problems. Other important nutritional factors to consider are fats, cholesterol, and sodium (American Heart Association).

A successful exercise program involving frequent physical activity that gets the blood circulating. Walking, jogging, hiking, and swimming are all good examples of ways to get your heart into shape as well as reduce stress. An exercise program should also be discussed with your doctor in case there are any limitations involved with your condition.

There are times when diet and exercise alone is not enough and a doctor may want to begin drug therapy. This could be in the form of taking vitamins for dietary supplement or he may prescribe something to help strengthen the contraction of the heart muscle and slow the heart rate. He may even wish to prescribe a diuretic to rid the body of excess fluids. This helps to relieve the workload on the heart, since there is less fluid to pump throughout the body.

There are some cases in which medication is not enough and more extreme measures must be taken. Coronary bypass surgery is done to restore adequate blood flow to the heart muscle when blockage occurs. In this surgery, a vein is taken from the leg to replace a blockage in an artery near the heart. While there is some danger, this is a fairly common surgery for our day and times. After a bypass, patients are encouraged to be out of bed and walking within the first 24 hours to prevent thrombosis.

Arrhythmias are another concern for cardiac patients. They are caused by a disruption of the normal functioning of the electrical conduction system of the heart. Some types of arrhythmias include tachycardias whish is a rapid heartbeat or bradycardia, which is a slow heartbeat. If the heart beats too slowly, damage can be done to organs within the body from lack of oxygen. Other types of arrhythmias may include fibrillation, atrial flutter, ventricular tackycardia, or sinus bradycardia. Some of these may be life threatening and will require immediate attention to prevent death of the patient.

There are yet other conditions that may affect the heart such as a life threatening infection known as bacterial endocarditis. This is infection and inflammation of the lining and valves for the heart. Two out of three patients have the subacute type, which manifests as fever, malaise, bacteremai, and heart murmurs. Several microbes can cause endocarditis, but most are due to bacteria such as Streptococcus or Staphylococcus, which are found in the mouth or throat (Black646).

Bacterial endocarditis is just one of many heart conditions and may be diagnosed with blood cultures and possibly be treated with antibiotics. This type of condition usually occurs in people over the age of 45 and those with compromising conditions as found in AIDs patients or drug abusers.

Psychosocial factors may play a role in heart conditions. Some tests have suggested that conscientious people may be more likely to have good health habits, follow sound advice, and cooperate with doctors, which may lead to a healthier body. They may be more likely to seek medical attention earlier that may in turn save their life. (Papilia 578)

Despite an overall reduction in the death rate due to cardiovascular diseases, the rate of decline is less for women than for men and even less for African-American women. The number of deaths due to cardiovascular diseases in women is actually increasing. Because the risk of cardiovascular diseases increases with age, women should pay extra attention to their diet and establish a regular exercise routine.

Heart and blood vessel diseases are our nation's number one killers. The good news about heart disease is that you can substantially reduce many of your risk factors for these conditions with a few simple lifestyle changes. Don't smoke, eat healthy, get plenty of exercise, and see a doctor if you suspect any type of heart problems.