Myocardial infarction in medicine is treated as a sharp malfunction of the blood supply to one part of the heart. This is an acute condition with a high risk of adverse outcome, which is especially great in the first two hours after the attack and is reduced after resuscitative measures. Therefore, it is so important to know how the heart attack manifests itself, the symptoms, the first signs of pathology.
Why does myocardial infarction occur?
The cardiac muscle - myocardium - requires continuous oxygen supply to constantly create contractions and maintain blood flow throughout the body. The supply of the muscle layer with blood occurs at the expense of the coronary arteries, which move away from the aorta, branch and are sent to different parts of the heart. Important is the special system of bypass vessels, which are in the welded state and ready to enter into the bloody cardiac channel, when the main vessels fail.
With the termination of blood flow to the muscle heart layer, pathological processes are triggered in a short time and tissues die in a certain focus. As a result, the functioning of the organ is significantly impaired, the necrosis zone is subsequently replaced by a connective tissue with scar formation, which is fraught with disability. If there was a heart attack, the symptoms, the first signs of which were seen and timely provided assistance, a great chance of preventing necrosis, cure without serious consequences.
The main causes of myocardial infarction have been well studied, including a number of risk factors, some of which can not be ruled out, while others depend on our choice. Termination of blood flow to the myocardium is possible due to the two leading pathologies:
- atherosclerotic changes in the coronary arteries with the development of stenosis - in this case, a heart attack is a form of coronary heart disease ;
- non-atherosclerotic changes in the coronary heart arteries (spasm, embolism, vasculitis, increased blood coagulability, etc.) - a heart attack as a syndrome-complication of other pathologies.
The following conditions support the unfavorable background for the development of necrosis in the myocardium:
- high blood pressure ;
- diabetes;
- obesity;
- presence of a large amount of cholesterol in the blood;
- alcohol and smoking abuse;
- constant exposure to stress;
- lack of mobility or intensive physical activity;
- inadequate number of detours of blood flow.
Myocardial infarction - symptoms
In women, the infarction in most cases happens in the post-menopausal phase, because before this protective effect is produced hormones, estrogens that control the level of cholesterol and promote the expansion of blood vessels. Before the development of a formidable condition often takes a lot of time, during which often recorded angina, other problems with the heart and blood vessels. But even this sometimes does not reduce the irresponsible attitude to one's health, the symptoms of an infarction in the initial period are simply ignored, and precious time for salvation is lost.
Symptoms of pre-infarction
The course of the infarction is divided into several periods, the first of which is pre-infarction - a gradual aggravation of the normal flow of blood to the heart muscle. It lasts from a few minutes to several weeks. Knowing how to recognize a heart attack, the symptoms at this stage, you can keep your health. The main alarming symptoms before a heart attack:
- a palpable pain syndrome, prolonged in time, becoming more intense and exciting all the larger areas - pain in the cardiac region gives to the neck, scapula, arm, right half of the trunk (nitroglycerin does not help);
- dyspnea;
- the release of cold sticky sweat;
- nausea;
- intolerance to physical activity;
- anxiety;
- dizziness;
- increased heart rate with disturbed rhythm;
- cyanosis of the lips.
The first signs of a heart attack
Then follows the so-called acute period, when the infarction, the first symptoms of which did not receive an adequate reaction and were not blocked, passes into the necrotic phase with the development of aseptic inflammation with the absorption of products of tissue death. The duration of this stage can be up to four hours. Let's consider, what signs at an infarction are characteristic in this case:
- the intensification of pain, the acquisition of a piercing, burning, squeezing character;
- severe anxiety or apathy;
- a feeling of lack of air;
- pallor of the skin;
- blue lips, ears, nose.
Acute myocardial infarction - symptoms
The next phase is acute, when myocardial infarction in women acquires other symptoms, which is related to the delimitation of the necrosis zone and the development of inflammation in nearby tissues. The duration of the period is several days, the following manifestations are typical:
- withdrawal of pain (in most cases);
- increased body temperature;
- increased heart rate.
Subsequent and post-infarction periods followed, when scar formation and adaptation of the cardiovascular system to new conditions occurs within a few weeks. Symptomatology will depend on the severity, localization of the infarct, which have developed as a result of complications. In general, the patients' health status is characterized as satisfactory.
First aid for a heart attack
After calling an ambulance when alerting signals appear, first aid should be provided for myocardial infarction to the victim, which is as follows:
- Full restriction of physical activity, taking a recumbent or semi-lying position.
- Ensuring normal air access.
- Admission Nitroglycerin (under the tongue) and acetylsalicylic acid (chew) one tablet.
- Taking medications prescribed by a doctor earlier.
- If possible, monitor blood pressure.
- When the heart stops - a strong short punch in the sternum in the first seconds, then - an indirect massage .
video1
Diagnosis of myocardial infarction
When a heart attack occurs, the symptoms and the first signs are in most cases bright and typical, which allows doctors to quickly recognize the pathology. To clarify the nature and location of the lesion, the purpose of treatment, methods of diagnosing myocardial infarction are necessary:
- electrocardiography;
- angiography;
- laboratory blood tests (determination of ESR, leukocytes, biochemical inflammatory signs, markers of necrosis).
How to prevent a heart attack?
To reduce the risk of developing pathology, prevention of myocardial infarction is recommended, the main rules of which are:
- Control of blood pressure.
- Control of body weight.
- Controlling the level of cholesterol and sugar in the blood.
- Healthy eating.
- Life without bad habits.
- Normal level of physical activity.
- Restriction of nervous overstrain.