Heart problems are among people’s greatest concerns when it comes to diseases. That’s because it is a vital organ, extremely important, and can have fatal consequences when an issue arises. One of the most feared is the well-known acute myocardial infarction. But what exactly is it, and what are its consequences? That is the topic we will address in today’s article. But first, do you know how a heart works?
How Does the Heart Work and What Is the Myocardium?
Our heart literally functions like a pump. Its main function is to pump blood through the veins so that all other parts of our body receive all the necessary nutrients and oxygen. The heart is a muscle, and like all muscles, it can develop problems. The big difference is that when problems occur here, the rest of your body is also affected. Some of the main components of the human heart are the coronary arteries, the vena cava, the aorta artery, the ventricles, the semilunar valves, and, of course, the myocardium.
The myocardium is the muscle that allows the heart to pump blood so that the veins can carry blood to the rest of our organs. It is one of the most important parts of the heart and, precisely because of that, acute myocardial infarction can be a serious problem.
What Is Acute Myocardial Infarction?
As you may have already gathered, the myocardium is one of the most important components of our heart. Acute myocardial infarction, also known as AMI, is a physiopathological condition that occurs when a coronary artery becomes blocked for some reason, usually due to excess fat combined with the formation of a clot. The myocardium is deprived of oxygen and, as a result, the affected tissue dies. This leads to what is commonly known as a heart attack, the acute myocardial infarction.
What Are the Causes of Acute Myocardial Infarction?
Much like various other types of cardiovascular diseases, acute myocardial infarction can have a large number of causes. Some of the main ones are:
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- High Blood Pressure
- Use of Drugs and Alcohol
Tobacco use leads to inflammation of the blood vessels. As we have seen before, the heart is a muscle, and when the pathways are somehow blocked, it has to work harder. This increases not only the risk of acute myocardial infarction but also of stroke, the well-known CVA.
Diabetes
Diabetes is usually associated with unhealthy lifestyle habits, which increase a person’s risk not only of acute myocardial infarction but also of other forms such as silent heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases.
High Blood Pressure
Having high blood pressure means the heart has to work harder, which increases the chances of someone suffering an acute myocardial infarction. Moreover, this issue, also known as arterial hypertension, is often related to other factors on this list.
Use of Drugs and Alcohol
The use of certain drugs and excessive alcohol consumption can raise blood pressure and overwork the heart, which can lead to an acute myocardial infarction.
Risk Factors
The main risk factors for acute myocardial infarction are directly related to the causes we have just listed. In other words, it’s important to maintain healthy lifestyle habits to avoid being part of the risk group, especially given that we’re talking about a problem that kills so many people in Brazil and around the world every year.
It’s also worth noting that the older a person is, the greater the chances of having an acute myocardial infarction, as the heart is weaker, in theory. That’s why taking all the precautions we’ve mentioned here is so important.
Main Symptoms of Acute Myocardial Infarction
Contrary to what many think, myocardial infarction does not always happen suddenly. In fact, it is often possible to notice some warning signs. The main symptoms are:
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Chest pain
- Weakness
- Cold sweats
- Swelling in the feet
- Abdominal pain
If you notice any of these signs, seek hospital care as quickly as possible, especially if you belong to one of the risk groups. The sooner you act, the higher your chances of survival.
How Is the Treatment Done?
The treatment for acute myocardial infarction isn’t always the same, as it depends on several factors, such as the severity of the injury and its causes. It is common for patients to receive oxygen in the blood so the heart isn’t overworked. It is also common for doctors to prescribe medications to reduce the patient’s pain, as well as monitor the patient for a few days.
Depending on the severity of the infarction, the patient may also undergo angioplasty, a procedure aimed at restoring blood flow to the heart. Medications may also be prescribed to help control the heart and prevent another heart attack. In these cases, using these medications must be done very responsibly.
Consequences of Acute Myocardial Infarction
It is possible for a heart attack to cause no consequences if the problem affects only a small part of the heart. However, in the vast majority of cases, patients do suffer some consequences, such as cardiac arrhythmia and changes to the heart muscle, which may permanently affect how the patient needs to care for themselves. In addition to these issues, heart failure and systolic dysfunction can also be cited as other main consequences of a heart attack.
Acute myocardial infarction is a condition we have to deal with, be it in terms of treatment or prevention. Prevention, in fact, is the most powerful weapon we have to avoid the dire consequences that acute myocardial infarction can bring. Especially those who are in the risk group need to take care of themselves and understand the symptoms and causes of the disease, but not only them. It is important for everyone to be aware that this is a serious problem and can affect even those who are not in a risk group. Taking care of your health is always important—and becomes even more so when it comes to preventing issues like this.
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