In our chests, there is a tireless pump - the heart, which beats day and night, delivering the source of life to every corner of the body. However, when this pump of life encounters a sudden "traffic paralysis", a crisis called "myocardial infarction" quietly comes, which is not only a test of life, but also a challenge to the race against time.
What happens to myocardial infarction?
Myocardial infarction refers to myocardial necrosis caused by acute and persistent ischemia and hypoxia of the coronary arteries. To put it simply, the blood vessels in the heart are blocked, causing the heart muscle to not get enough blood and oxygen, and necrosis occurs. This process often occurs on the basis of coronary atherosclerosis, due to some triggers cause the rupture of coronary atherosclerosis plaque, platelets in the blood accumulate on the surface of the ruptured plaque, forming a thrombus, suddenly blocking the lumen of the coronary artery, resulting in myocardial ischemia and necrosis.
The "invisible" signal of myocardial infarction
1. Chest pain: The most typical symptom is chest pain or discomfort, which may feel like pressure, squeezing, fullness, or heaviness. The pain may last for a few minutes and may go away and come back. The pain may also radiate to the shoulders, arms, back, neck, and even jaw.
2. Difficulty breathing: Patients may experience shortness of breath without any apparent reason.
3. Nausea and vomiting: Along with the above symptoms, the patient may feel nausea or actually vomit.
4. Sweating: Sudden onset of heavy sweating, especially cold sweats, is also a common symptom of myocardial infarction.
5. Fatigue: Extreme fatigue or weakness, especially in women, can be one of the signs of myocardial infarction.
6. Dizziness or fainting: Dizziness or fainting may occur due to insufficient blood supply to the brain due to the heart not being able to pump blood efficiently.
7. Anxiety or panic: Patients may have ominous premonitions or intense feelings of anxiety.
It is important to note that not all of the above symptoms will be experienced. Older people and people with diabetes in particular may have atypical symptoms or a "silent" myocardial infarction, in which case typical symptoms may not be apparent. In addition, women may present differently from men, such as fatigue, nausea, and back pain.
When it comes to heart disease, even if the symptoms are mild, you should seek medical help immediately. Myocardial infarction is an emergency, and rapid diagnosis and treatment are essential to reduce heart damage and save lives.
How should we deal with myocardial infarction?
1. Call emergency medical services: Call your local emergency number (120) immediately to report a suspected myocardial infarction. Tell the operator clearly about the symptoms that are present and what is suspected to be a heart problem.
2. Stop all activities: Have the patient stop any physical activity and immediately make him sit or lie down to reduce the burden on the heart.
3. Stay calm: Try to keep or keep the patient calm and avoid unnecessary nervousness and panic as this can increase the burden on the heart.
4. Loosen tight clothing: Untie or loosen the patient's tie, belt, or other restrictive clothing to ensure smooth breathing.
5. Monitor vital signs: If possible, check the patient's level of consciousness, breathing, and pulse. If the person is unconscious and is not breathing or has no pulse, start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately.
6. Take aspirin: If there are no contraindications (such as an allergy to aspirin), the patient can chew and swallow a standard dose of aspirin (usually 300 mg), which can help reduce the formation of further blood clots. However, it is best to consult a professional before the medical staff arrives.
7. Don't leave the patient alone: While waiting for emergency medical services to arrive, someone should accompany the patient and closely observe the patient's status changes.
8. Don't let the patient eat or drink: Since the patient may need emergency surgery or other procedures, it is best not to eat or drink.
9. Prepare relevant information: If you have time, prepare basic health information about the patient, a list of medications being used, known allergies, and emergency contact information so that medical personnel can quickly understand the situation when they arrive.
Remember, time is of the essence. The sooner treatment is started, the more likely it is to reduce heart damage and improve survival.
How to treat myocardial infarction
1. First aid: If symptoms of myocardial infarction occur, such as chest pain, shortness of breath and nausea, an ambulance should be called immediately. Aspirin can be chewed before waiting for emergency to arrive.
2. Vascular access reconstruction: One of the main treatments is to restore the blood supply associated with myocardial infarction through vascular access reconstruction. This includes pharmacological thrombolytic therapy and coronary intervention (PCI). Pharmacological thrombolysis is the use of drugs to dissolve blood clots to restore blood flow. PCI is an interventional procedure that restores blood flow by placing a stent in a blocked coronary artery.
3. Medication: Medication is often used after myocardial infarction to stabilize heart function, improve symptoms, and prevent further cardiovascular events. These medications may include antiplatelet drugs (such as aspirin or clopidogrel), anticoagulants (such as heparin or low molecular weight heparin), and β blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and statins, among others.
4. Cardiac Rehabilitation: Cardiac rehabilitation is a comprehensive treatment program designed to help patients gradually regain their physical functions. This usually includes regular physical activity, psychological support, dietary advice, and education.
5. Lifestyle modification: Lifestyle modification is also an important part of myocardial infarction treatment. This includes quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, controlling high blood pressure and high blood lipids, and maintaining a healthy weight. In addition, a good diet and regular exercise are also essential for heart health.
Please note that these are just general treatments. The specific treatment plan should be tailored to each patient's situation, so it is highly recommended to consult with a medical professional for personalized advice and treatment options.
Prevention is more important than cure
Prevention of myocardial infarction is key, and here are some common precautions:
1. Eat a healthy diet: Maintaining a balanced diet is essential for heart health. Foods rich in fiber, low in fat, and low in cholesterol, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and fish, are recommended. Avoid foods high in salt, sugar, and saturated fat.
2. Exercise regularly: Moderate and regular physical activity can help improve heart health. It is recommended to do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, such as brisk walking, running, swimming, or cycling. Before starting a new exercise program, talk to your doctor to make sure it's right for your physical condition.
3. Control blood pressure: High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease. Control your blood pressure by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, limiting salt intake, losing weight, and following your doctor's recommendations. Sometimes you may need to take medication to control your blood pressure, so follow your doctor's instructions.
4. Control blood lipids: High cholesterol and high triglycerides are risk factors for heart disease. Help control blood lipid levels by choosing healthy sources of fat, such as vegetable oils, nuts, and fish, as well as avoiding high-cholesterol foods such as organ meats and processed meats. Sometimes medications may be needed to lower blood lipid levels, so talk to your doctor.
5. Don't smoke: Smoking has serious negative effects on heart health. If you smoke, quit as soon as possible. Seeking help from a doctor or professional body can increase your chances of successfully quitting smoking.
6. Diabetes control: People with diabetes are at higher risk of myocardial infarction. Controlling blood sugar levels is essential to prevent heart disease. Work with your doctor to follow the appropriate treatment plan and recommendations.
7. Manage stress: Long-term stress can have a negative impact on heart health. Find stress management methods that work for you, such as rest, relaxation techniques, meditation, or engaging in hobby activities.
These precautions can help reduce the risk of myocardial infarction. Keep in mind that everyone's situation is different, so it is advisable to have a discussion with your doctor to develop a prevention plan that works for you personally.
Myocardial infarction, this emergency call of the heart, reminds us to cherish life and pay attention to heart health. By knowing, preventing, and responding in a timely manner, we can take the initiative in this race for life.