What does history of myocardial infarction mean?
A myocardial infarction (commonly called a heart attack) is an extremely dangerous condition caused by a lack of blood flow to your heart muscle. The lack of blood flow can occur because of many different factors but is usually related to a blockage in one or more of your heart’s arteries.
What is the main cause of acute myocardial infarction?
Acute myocardial infarction, also known as a heart attack, is a life-threatening condition that occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle is abruptly cut off, causing tissue damage. This is usually the result of a blockage in one or more of the coronary arteries.
What is acute myocardial infarction of the heart?
Acute myocardial infarction is myocardial necrosis resulting from acute obstruction of a coronary artery. Symptoms include chest discomfort with or without dyspnea, nausea, and diaphoresis. Diagnosis is by ECG and the presence or absence of serologic markers.
What is the difference between a heart attack and a myocardial infarction?
A heart attack (what doctors call a myocardial infarction or MI) is defined as damage to part of the heart muscle caused by inadequate blood flow to that area. Most of the time, this happens due to a blockage in one of the heart’s arteries.
Can stress cause myocardial infarction?
Stress can cause heart problems in several different ways. First, an excess of stress hormones can cause a “myocardial infarction,” otherwise known as a heart attack. A myocardial infarction occurs when a blockage forms in one of the arteries that supplies oxygenated blood to the heart muscle.
Can stress cause a heart attack?
Heart disease is another potential stress-related problem. Stress may lead to high blood pressure, which can pose a risk for heart attack and stroke. Stress also may contribute to such cardiovascular disease risks as smoking, overeating and lack of physical activity.
How is MI diagnosed?
An MI is diagnosed when two of the following criteria are met:
- Symptoms of ischemia.
- New ST-segment changes or a left bundle branch block (LBBB)
- Presence of pathological Q waves on the ECG.
- Imaging study showing new regional wall motion abnormality.
- Presence of an intracoronary thrombus at autopsy or angiography.
How is MI diagnosed on ECG?
One of the most significant findings of myocardial infarction is the presence of ST segment elevation. The ST segment is the part of the ECG tracing that starts at the end of the S wave and ends at the beginning of the T wave. The point where the end of the Q wave and the ST segment meet is called the J point.
What is the standard treatment for an acute myocardial infarction?
1. A patient with a large acute myocardial infarction may be concurrently treated with aspirin, streptokinase, heparin and an ACE inhibitor. 2. Streptokinase is preferred to tissue plasminogen activator as it has a greater effect on cardiovascular mortality.