Acute myocardial infarction is a syndrome caused by an obstruction or blockage of blood flow to the heart. These blockages generally occur in one of the arteries that carry blood to the heart due to the formation of a blood clot, a buildup of fat, or other substances.
He acute myocardial infarction It is also known as a heart attack or infarction. In order to save the patient's life, a heart attack requires emergency medical attention, ideally within 4 hours of the event, although some interventions must be performed within 90 minutes of arriving at the hospital. A heart attack can occur in different organs, not just the heart.
Symptoms of a heart attack
The symptoms of a heart attack vary from person to person. Some people may experience more severe symptoms than others, and in some cases, they may not even experience any symptoms at all.
Remember that the heart attack represents a medical emergency and requires immediate attention, so if you have any of the following symptoms you must contact 911:
- Chest pain or chest pain in the form of pressure or oppressive sensation.
- Cold sweats
- Pain that radiates to the arm, neck, shoulder, jaw, back, teeth, or upper abdomen.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
- Feeling of fatigue.
- Fainting.
- Sudden dizziness.
- Rapid heart rate.
“Leading a life with emotional balance is of the utmost importance to prevent the symptoms of a heart attack, since stress leads to a series of hormonal reactions and effects triggered by neurotransmitters that favor a low-level systemic inflammatory state with alterations in arterial biomechanics, endothelial dysfunction, arterial stiffness, angiogenesis, cardiac hemodynamic overload and therefore progression of the pathology and the possibility of new cardiovascular events.” Dr. Ramón Jiménez Sibira - Cardiologist
Causes and risk factors of a heart attack
A heart attack is usually caused by blockages in any of the arteries (coronary arteries) that supply blood to the heart, although others may exist. causes such as certain infections and structural damage to some arteries. Through an electrocardiogram, the doctor can identify the type of heart attack suffered based on its cause:
- Infarction due to partial obstruction.
- Infarction due to acute complete obstruction.
"The causes and risk factors for suffering a heart attack are genetic, family history of death due to cardiovascular causes occurring in men under 55 years of age or in women under 65, familial hyperlipidemia, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. Other causes are environmental such as smoking, sedentary lifestyle, drug use, alcoholism, inadequate diet, etc." Dr. Ramón Jiménez Sibira - Cardiologist
Despite being one of the leading causes of death among men and women, there are some factors that increase the likelihood of suffering an acute myocardial infarction, such as:
- Smoking: Smokers or people constantly exposed to cigarette smoke are at greater risk.
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Age: Women over 55 and men over 45 are at higher risk of heart attack.
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Obesity: the obesity It is a disease associated with hypertension and different coronary problems.
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Hypertension: the hypertension can cause some damage to the coronary arteries over time.
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Hypertension: the hypertension can cause some damage to the coronary arteries over time.
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Family history: Having a family member with a history of heart attacks at an early age increases the likelihood of having a heart attack.
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Bad habits: not eating a healthy diet, not exercising, constant emotional stress and anger, and substance use are some habits that can increase the risk of a heart attack.
How to prevent a heart attack?
Prevention comes before illness. There are some things you can do to reduce your risk of suffering a heart attack or other types of heart attacks. We recommend:
Learn to regulate your emotions and take care of your mental health:
Emotional stress, intense anger, and extreme anxiety are emotions that increase the likelihood of suffering a heart attack. Emotional imbalance can be a precipitating factor in the development of heart disease. Psychotherapy, support groups, and having someone to listen to you are key tools in emotional regulation.
Keep other diseases under control:
Diseases such as obesity, the hypertension, the Diabetes, metabolic syndrome, addictions, among others, can increase the risk of a heart attack. For this reason, it's crucial that you follow all of your doctor's medical recommendations and seek medical attention if you haven't yet started appropriate treatment.
Acquire new healthy habits:
Reduce alcohol intake, do not smoke, maintain a healthy diet and engage in safe physical activity regularly. All of these factors help maintain optimal overall health and avoid the risk of heart attacks.
Regularly attend medical consultations:
The best way to prevent acute or chronic illnesses is to obtain a timely diagnosis. Making regular appointments with the doctors of your choice is essential to keep the onset of any symptoms and/or a heart attack under control.
"The best way to prevent a heart attack is to know your family history of heart disease, and cardiovascular death in men under 45 and women under 65. Exercise daily, avoid carbonated beverages and drugs, avoid smoking and alcohol, eat a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, and fish, and avoid processed foods. Combat stress, socialize, and avoid loneliness. PREVENTION FROM CHILDHOOD." Dr. Ramón Jiménez Sibira - Cardiologist
