Myocardial infarction

From ArticleWorld

Sudden chest pain, weakness, nausea and irregular hear beat are all well-known symptoms of myocardial infarction, or what is commonly called a heart attack. Decades of atherosclerosis plaque - cholesterol and fibrous tissue forming on the artery wall - rupture, obstructing the artery and blocking the flow of blood. Because the heart muscle does not receive the oxygen-rich blood it needs, the heart muscle cells are damaged.

This may result in the complete destruction of that part of the heart muscle, or myocardium, and thus the heart never regains its strength and the patient is left with a weak heart. If the heart muscle is injured however, the result of the infarction, or tissue death, is ventricular fibrillation. Slowed electrical impulses confuse the heart into relaxing too soon after contracting and vice versa resulting in a rapid heart beat. This in turn causes the blood pressure to drop to near zero which leads to sudden death.

Myocardial rupture

Complications three to five days after the heart attack may lead to a myocardial rupture, a condition where the heart does not pump the blood efficiently, leading to an increased blood pressure which weakens the muscle walls. If a rupture occurs, blood pools in the heart sac, usually leading to instant death.

Causes

Most heart attacks are the result of lifestyle choices which can be changed. Obesity, cholesterol and high blood pressure are all related to the quality of our diet and our level of physical activity. Smoking is something we can choose to do or to avoid. Stress and sudden physical exertion can also result in a heart attack, especially if the exercise is more intense than usual.