Myocardial infarction and stroke are two serious medical conditions related to the heart. However, they have differences and are not interchangeable. In this article, we will learn about myocardial infarction, its symptoms, causes, and how to prevent and treat this condition.
1, What is myocardial infarction?
Myocardial infarction is a condition in which blood circulation to the heart is suddenly interrupted, causing part of the heart muscle to die due to lack of blood and oxygen. This is a life-threatening medical emergency and requires prompt treatment.
According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), myocardial infarction is the leading cause of death globally. In Vietnam, according to a 2019 report by the Ministry of Health, the death rate due to myocardial infarction accounts for about 20% of the total deaths due to cardiovascular disease.
2, Symptoms of myocardial infarction
Symptoms of a heart attack may include:
Chest pain
Chest pain is the most common symptom of a heart attack. Pain can be severe, persistent, and radiate to the neck, shoulders, arms, or back. Pain often occurs when you are active or under stress, and may decrease when you rest. However, chest pain can also occur in people who are not very active or are at rest.
Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath is another symptom of a heart attack. You may feel short of breath or breathe faster than usual. This is due to a lack of oxygen in the body when the heart is no longer able to pump blood to the organs.
Cold sweat
During a heart attack, the body will produce more sweat to try to cool the body. However, this sweat will have many different properties compared to regular sweat. It will be cold and stick to your skin, making you feel uncomfortable.
Nausea
Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms of a heart attack. This is because the body’s organs do not receive enough blood and oxygen, causing them to start working less effectively.
Dizzy
You may feel dizzy or unbalanced when you have a heart attack. This is due to lack of blood and oxygen reaching the brain, causing the brain to not function effectively.
Faint
If a heart attack is not treated promptly, you may faint. This is because the brain does not receive enough blood and oxygen to maintain activity.
3, Cause of myocardial infarction
A heart attack typically occurs when a blood clot forms in a coronary artery, blocking blood flow to the heart. The main risk factors for myocardial infarction include:
Coronary artery disease (CAD)
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a condition in which plaque builds up in the coronary arteries, limiting blood flow to the heart. This is the main cause of myocardial infarction. These plaques can be caused by cholesterol, calcium, and other cell deposits.
High blood pressure
High blood pressure can damage the coronary arteries and increase the risk of blood clots. If blood pressure is not controlled, it can increase the risk of coronary artery disease and heart attack.
High cholesterol levels
High cholesterol levels in the blood can contribute to the formation of plaque in the coronary arteries. As these plaques grow, they can block blood flow to the heart and cause a heart attack.
Diabetes
Diabetes can damage nerves and blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attack. If you have diabetes, periodically check your blood pressure and cholesterol levels to ensure heart health
Smoke
Smoking increases the risk of coronary artery disease and heart attack. Cigarettes contain many substances that are harmful to the heart, causing blood circulation problems and creating conditions for blood clots to form.
Sedentary lifestyle
Regular physical inactivity can increase your risk of coronary artery disease and heart attack. Not exercising regularly causes the body to accumulate more fat and cholesterol, causing cardiovascular problems
Fat
Obesity increases the risk of coronary artery disease and heart attack. People with a body mass index (BMI) higher than 25 are considered obese and have a higher risk of cardiovascular problems.
4, How are stroke and heart attack related?
Stroke and myocardial infarction are two serious medical conditions related to the heart. However, they have differences and are not interchangeable.
A stroke is a condition when a plaque in a brain artery ruptures, causing a blockage of blood flow to the brain. This leads to a lack of blood and oxygen reaching the brain, causing permanent damage to brain cells. Meanwhile, myocardial infarction is a condition when a blood clot forms in the coronary artery, causing a blockage of blood flow to the heart.
However, stroke and myocardial infarction are closely related. If you have had a heart attack, you are at higher risk of having a stroke. This is because risk factors for heart attacks can also cause strokes, such as coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
5, Methods of diagnosing myocardial infarction
To diagnose a heart attack, your doctor will conduct a general physical examination, listen to your symptoms, and order tests. Tests may include:
Blood tests
Blood tests will show blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels and other indicators to assess the risk of coronary artery disease and heart attack..
Electrocardiogram (ECG) test
ECG is a simple test to check how your heart is working. It will record electrical waves from your heart and show if there are any problems with your heart rhythm.
Sperm ultrasound
An echocardiogram creates images of the heart and nearby organs, helping the doctor determine if there is any damage to the heart.
Emergency testing
If your doctor suspects you are having a heart attack, he or she may order emergency tests to determine the extent and location of the blood flow blockage.
6, How to prevent and treat myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction is a medical emergency and requires prompt treatment to avoid dangerous complications. However, you can apply the following precautions to reduce the risk of heart attack:
- Lifestyle changes: Exercise regularly, eat healthy and limit tobacco and alcohol consumption.
- Control blood pressure and cholesterol: If you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, follow your doctor’s instructions to control these factors.
- Treat diabetes: If you have diabetes, periodically check your blood pressure and cholesterol levels to ensure heart health.
- Medication: If you have had a heart attack, your doctor may prescribe medication to help control risk factors and reduce the risk of recurrence.
7, Dangerous complications of myocardial infarction
If not treated promptly, a heart attack can cause dangerous health complications, including:
- Heart attack: Blockage of blood flow to the heart can cause heart attack and difficulty breathing.
- Stroke: Myocardial infarction is one of the main causes of stroke.
- Heart failure: Lack of blood and oxygen reaching the heart can cause permanent damage to heart cells, leading to heart failure.
- Arrhythmia: Blockage of blood flow to the heart can disrupt the heart’s rhythm and cause dangerous arrhythmias.
- Death: If not treated promptly, myocardial infarction can lead to death.
8, The importance of quickly treating a myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction is a medical emergency and needs to be treated promptly to minimize the risk of death and dangerous complications. If you have any symptoms of a heart attack, contact your doctor immediately for diagnosis and treatment.
9, Myocardial infarction in the elderly
Elderly people are at higher risk of heart attack due to risk factors that accumulate in the body over the years. In addition, symptoms of myocardial infarction in the elderly may also be different from those in young people, making diagnosis and treatment difficult.
Therefore, elderly people need to regularly check their health and follow doctor’s orders to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction.
10, Difference between myocardial infarction and stroke
Myocardial infarction and stroke are two medical conditions related to the heart, however they have the following differences:
- Cause: Myocardial infarction is usually caused by blockage of blood flow to the heart, while stroke is caused by blockage of blood flow to the brain.
- Symptoms: A heart attack often causes chest pain and difficulty breathing, while a stroke can cause paralysis on one side of the body, making it difficult to talk or understand.
- Treatment: Both myocardial infarction and stroke need to be treated promptly. However, treatment for each condition will vary depending on the specific cause and symptoms.
11, Conclude
A heart attack is a serious medical condition that can cause dangerous health complications. Therefore, the prevention and treatment of myocardial infarction is very important. Follow a healthy lifestyle, control your risk factors and get regular checkups to maintain your heart health. If you have any symptoms of a heart attack, contact your doctor immediately for prompt diagnosis and treatment.
