Myocardial Infarction

Myocardial infarction, known as a heart attack, is a life-threatening condition in which necrosis (death) of part of the heart muscle (myocardium) occurs due to a complete interruption of blood supply to that area.
This most often happens when a coronary artery (which supplies the heart) is blocked. In most cases, the blockage is caused by a blood clot that forms on a ruptured atherosclerotic plaque. The lack of oxygen and nutrients leads to the rapid death of the affected heart muscle.

Causes and Risk Factors

The main cause is ischemic heart disease (atherosclerosis). Factors that increase the risk of a heart attack include:high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol, smoking (the most preventable severe risk), diabetes, obesity, lack of physical activity and a family history of heart diseases. Sudden stress, intense physical exertion, or strong emotional shock can trigger a heart attack in people with advanced atherosclerosis.

Symptoms and Emergency Care

The key symptom is severe, sudden chest pain that feels like heaviness, tightness, crushing, or burning and does not subside at rest. The pain may radiate to the left arm, jaw, back, or stomach. Other symptoms include: shortness of breath, cold sweat, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or sudden weakness. Emergency care is critical: in case of suspected heart attack, it is necessary to immediately call Emergency Services (112), as rapid restoration of blood flow is of decisive importance for limiting damage to the heart.

Diagnosis and Treatment

The diagnosis is made rapidly in a hospital setting through: Electrocardiogram (ECG), which shows characteristic changes, and blood tests to measure cardiac enzymes and markers (e.g., Troponin) released by the damaged myocardium.

Treatment in the acute phase is focused on rapidly restoring blood flow:

• Thrombolysis (dissolution of the clot): Medicinal treatment to dissolve the blocking clot.
• Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or Stenting: This is the preferred method – rapid insertion of a catheter through an artery in the arm or leg to the heart, opening the blocked coronary artery with a balloon, and placing a stent to maintain patency.
• Medications: Anticoagulants, antiplatelets, beta-blockers, and nitroglycerin are administered.

After stabilization, long-term treatment with medications and strict lifestyle changes follow to prevent recurrent incidents.

 Synonyms: Heart attack, Acute coronary syndrome, Coronary thrombosis, Chest pain radiating to the left arm