Myocardial Infection

 A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow decreases or stops in the coronary artery of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle.^[1] The most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort which may travel into the shoulder, arm, back, neck or jaw.^[1] Often it occurs in the center or left side of the chest and lasts for more than a few minutes.^[1] The discomfort may occasionally feel like heartburn.^[1] Other symptoms may include shortness of breath, nausea, feeling faint, a cold sweat or feeling tired.^[1] About 30% of people have atypical symptoms.^[8] Women more often present without chest pain and instead have neck pain, arm pain or feel tired.^[11] Among those over 75 years old, about 5% have had an MI with little or no history of symptoms.^[12] An MI may cause heart failure, an irregular heartbeat, cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest.^[3][4]Most MIS, occur due to coronary artery disease.^[3] Risk factors include high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, lack of exercise, obesity, high blood cholesterol, poor diet and excessive alcohol intake.^[5][6] The complete blockage of a coronary artery caused by a rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque is usually the underlying

  Treatment of an MI is time-critical.^[16] Aspirin is an appropriate immediate treatment for a suspected MI.^[9] Nitroglycerin or opioids may be used to help with chest pain; however, they do not improve overall outcomes.^[8][9] Supplemental oxygen is recommended in those with low oxygen levels or shortness of breath.^[9] In an ST EMI, treatments attempt to restore blood flow to the heart and include percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), where the arteries are pushed open and may be stinted, or thrombosis, where the blockage is removed using medications.^[8] People who have a non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NST EMI) are often managed with the blood thinner heparin, with the additional use of PCI in those at high risk. 

 Terminology

 The arteries are pushed open and may be stinted, or thrombosis, where the blockage is removed using medications.^[8] People who have a non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NST EMI) are often managed with the blood thinner heparin, with the additional use of PCI in those at high risk. A Type of acute coronary syndrome, unstable angina, a myocardial infarction occurs when there is cell death, which can be estimated by measuring by a blood test for biomarkers (the cardiac protein troponin).^[23] When there is evidence of an MI, it may be classified as an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STE MI) or Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NST EMI) based on the results of an ECG.^[24]

^Pain

 Chest pain is one of the most common symptoms of acute myocardial infarction and is often described as a sensation of tightness, pressure, or squeezing. Pain radiates most often to the left arm, but may also radiate to the lower jaw, neck, right arm, back, and upper abdomen.^[28][29] The pain most suggestive of an acute MI, with the highest likelihood ratio, is pain radiating to the right arm and shoulder.^[30][29] Similarly, chest pain similar to a previous heart attack is also suggestive.^[31] The pain associated with MI is usually diffuse, does not change with position, and lasts for more than 20 minutes.^[24] It might be described as pressure, tightness, knifelike, tearing, burning sensation (all these are also manifested during other diseases). It could be felt as an unexplained anxiety, and pain might be absent

 Strategies to prevent heart disease 

•  Don't smoke or use tobacco. ...
•  Get moving: Aim for at least 30 to 60 minutes of activity daily. ...
•  Eat a heart-healthy diet. ...
•  Maintain a healthy weight. ...
•  Get good quality sleep. ...
•  Manage stress. ...
•  Get regular health screenings.
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