Myocardial infarction (heart attack)

DEFINITION: 

A heart attack or myocardial infarction occurs when one or more regions of the heart muscle experience a severe or prolonged lack of oxygen caused by blocked blood flow to the heart muscle.
The blocking is often a result of atherosclerosis - an accumulation of plaque, known as cholesterol, other fatty substances, and blood coáglo. Plaque ruptures and, finally, a blood clot forms. The cause of a heart attack is a blood clot that forms within the plaque-obstructed area.
If the blood supply and the oxygen supply is strongly or suppressed for a long period of time, the heart muscle cells are damaged and die. The result is dysfunction of the heart muscle in the affected area from lack of oxygen.

RISK FACTORS: 

There are two types of risk factors for heart attack, including the following:
Inherited (or genetic)
acquired:
Hereditary factors or genetic risk are those with which the person is born and can not be changed, but can be improved with the help of medical treatment and changes in lifestyle.
Acquired risk factors are caused by activities that we choose to include in our lives, which can be controlled through changes in lifestyle and clinical care.
Heredity or Genetic Factors: Who is most at risk?
Persons with inherited hypertension - high blood pressure.
Persons with inherited low levels of HDL (high density lipoprotein), triglycerides, or high levels of LDL (low density lipoprotein) levels or high triglyceride levels.
People with a family history of heart disease (especially with onset before 55 years).
The elderly men and women.
People with diabetes mellitus (type I diabetes).
Women after the onset of menopause - generally men are at risk at an earlier age, but after the onset of menopause, the risk is the same for women.
Acquired factors: Who is most at risk?
People with acquired hypertension - high blood pressure.
Persons with inherited low levels of HDL (high density lipoprotein), triglycerides, or high levels of LDL (low density lipoprotein) levels or high triglyceride levels.
Smokers.
People who are under a lot of stress.
The people who drink too much alcohol.
Those with a sedentary lifestyle.
Persons with overweight by 30 percent or greater.
People who eat a diet high in saturated fat.
People with type II diabetes.
A heart attack can give anyone - only when we take time to learn what the risk factors are that affect us specifically, we can take steps to eliminate or reduce.
Controlling risk factors for heart attack:
Control risk factors for a heart attack begins with the following:
Examine what risk factors affect us and take steps to eliminate or reduce them.
Be aware that conditions like hypertension or abnormal cholesterol levels, which may be "silent murderers".
Modify acquired risk factors, which are not inherited, through changes in lifestyle. Consult your doctor as a first step to begin to make these changes immediately.
Consult your doctor to determine if you have risk factors for genetic or inherited and can not be changed, but can be managed medically and through changes in lifestyle.

SYMPTOMS: 

Below are the most common symptoms of a heart attack listed. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
indigestion
Indigestion, also called indigestion or dyspepsia, is a painful or burning sensation in the upper abdomen that may be accompanied by the following; nausea; feel bloated; belching; vomiting; severe pain in the upper right abdomen; discomfort unrelated to food and indigestion accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, or pain radiating to the jaw, neck or arm.
The symptoms of indigestion may resemble other medical conditions, such as chest pain. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.
Severe pressure, fullness, squeezing, pain, or discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes.
Pain or discomfort that spreads to the shoulders, neck, arms or jaw.
Chest pain that increases with intensity.
Chest pain that is not relieved by rest or by taking nitroglycerin.
Chest pain that occurs with any or all of the following (additional):
Sweating, cool, clammy and pale skin or.
Shortness of breath.
Nausea or vomiting.
Dizziness or fainting.
Unexplained weakness or fatigue.
Rapid or irregular pulse.
Although chest pain is the key warning sign of a heart attack, it could be confused with indigestion, pleurisy, pneumonia, or other disorders.
Responding to the warning signs of a heart attack:
If you, or someone you know exhibits any of the above warning signs, act immediately. Call 911 or your local emergency number.
Treatment of heart attack:
The goals of treatment for a heart attack is to relieve pain, preserve the heart muscle function, and prevent death.