Coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction are two common cardiovascular diseases, and although some symptoms are similar, they have different etiologies and development processes.
First of all, coronary heart disease is a disease in which the blood supply to the heart muscle is insufficient, mainly due to the obstruction of the blood supply to the coronary arteries. The coronary arteries are the main blood vessels of the heart and are responsible for transporting oxygen and nutrients into the heart muscle. When the coronary arteries suffer from narrowing or occlusion, blood flow is restricted, causing the heart muscle to not get an adequate blood supply. This process of undersupply of blood is gradual, and patients may feel symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and palpitation.
A myocardial infarction, on the other hand, is caused by a blood clot or ruptured blood vessel in a coronary artery, resulting in complete occlusion of the coronary artery. A blood clot or rupture of a blood vessel prevents blood from flowing through the coronary arteries to the heart muscle, causing part of the heart muscle tissue to die due to ischemia. The progression of myocardial infarction is more rapid than that of coronary heart disease, and patients usually experience severe chest pain, nausea, vomiting, cold sweats and other symptoms, which is called "angina".
Secondly, the causes of coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction are also somewhat different. Coronary heart disease is mainly caused by atherosclerosis, where plaque on the artery wall gradually accumulates and gradually increases, eventually leading to narrowing or occlusion of the artery. This plaque on the artery wall is mainly formed by cholesterol, platelets, and fibrin, which can adhere to the artery wall to form plaque.
A myocardial infarction, on the other hand, is caused by a blood clot in the coronary arteries or due to a ruptured artery. Thrombosis occurs when clotting substances in the blood accumulate inside the narrowed coronary arteries, forming blood clots. Blood clots block the normal flow of blood, leading to myocardial ischemia and eventual necrosis.
Finally, coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction are also different in terms of treatment. For patients with coronary heart disease, early treatment includes medication and lifestyle changes, such as controlling high blood pressure, lowering blood lipids and weight, and quitting smoking. Revascularization surgery, such as coronary artery bypass grafting or coronary stenting, may be required in severe cases.
For patients with myocardial infarction, the management of acute myocardial infarction is very urgent and requires immediate thrombolytic therapy or interventional surgery. Thrombolytic therapy can restore normal blood flow by dissolving blood clots, while interventional surgery can restore patency of the coronary arteries by implanting a stent.
Overall, coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction are both serious cardiovascular diseases that require early diagnosis and treatment. Understanding their differences can help us better recognize and cope with these diseases, thereby reducing the risk of developing the disease and improving quality of life.