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Myocardial infarction, or myocardial infarction for short, is a sudden, potentially fatal cardiovascular event.
Despite the development of modern medical technology and the improvement of people's living standards, the incidence of myocardial infarction is still increasing year by year.
Especially for the 55-year-old uncle, Mr. Lui, who has always thought that he was healthy and has good control of the three highs, but the heart attack came in an instant, which caught him and his family off guard.
The reason behind all this, in addition to the common hypertension, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia, there is another indicator that is often overlooked - lipoprotein A, elevated lipoprotein A may lead to atherosclerosis, increase the risk of myocardial infarction, and become a potential "invisible killer".
This article will discuss the causes, related risk factors, and preventive measures of myocardial infarction, so as to help people understand myocardial infarction more comprehensively and raise awareness of cardiovascular health.
Mr. Lui's health worries
Mr. Lu is a 55-year-old ordinary office worker with a gentle personality, who loves sports and maintains good living habits.
He goes to the gym at least three times a week, commutes by bike, never smokes, and is very mindful of his diet, trying to limit his salt and sugar intake.
He has been managing high blood pressure, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia for many years, and after regular medical check-ups, doctors always give him a good look at his condition.
However, Mr. Lui's health condition did not let his guard down, and a few months ago, due to work pressure, he often worked late into the night, and one day, he felt a throbbing pain in his chest in the office, which he began to think was just fatigue.
Although he had gone to the hospital for a triple test of chest pain, the results showed severe stenosis of the right coronary artery, and the doctor recommended hospitalization for further examination, but Mr. Lu thought his condition was fine and chose to ignore it.
In the days that followed, Mr. Lu continued to take his medication on time, felt good about himself, and although there was an occasional hint of uneasiness in his heart, he was more focused on getting his work done, and three days earlier, he had a reunion with his old classmates and a drink to celebrate a reunion he hadn't seen in years.
After the party, he went to play badminton in high spirits, but after only 15 minutes of play, he felt a crushing pain again behind his sternum, this time more pronounced.
Mr. Lui suspended the game for a short rest, but his symptoms did not abate, and his friend immediately rushed to the pharmacy to buy fast-acting heart pills and dialed the 120 emergency number.
Mr. Lu chewed a few pills of the medicine bought by a friend, but this time, the effect was not as obvious as usual, and the 120 ambulance soon arrived and sent Mr. Lu to the hospital for emergency treatment.
After a thorough examination, the results of the doctors shocked Mr. Lu and his family - he had an acute myocardial infarction, and the "lipoprotein A" level in the blood test was significantly elevated, reaching 1800mg/L, far beyond the normal range.
Mr. Lui understands that his health problems are far more complex than he thought, and that the elevated lipoprotein A puts him at greater risk of cardiovascular disease in the future.
After this incident, Mr. Lu was determined to pay more attention to his health, stop ignoring the seemingly trivial symptoms, and start learning how to manage his lifestyle more scientifically.
A potential link between inflammation and myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction, also known as myocardial infarction, is a serious disease caused by insufficient blood flow to the coronary arteries leading to myocardial ischemia and necrosis, and although Mr. Lui's three highs were well controlled, he still had a myocardial infarction, which led to an in-depth discussion of the relationship between inflammation and myocardial infarction.
Medical studies have shown that inflammation plays an important role in the development of myocardial infarction, especially for those who already have high-risk factors.
Inflammation is the body's natural response to injury, infection, and irritation, and is often marked by redness, swelling, heat, and pain.
Acute inflammation is a mechanism by which the body responds quickly, helping to remove pathogens and promote tissue repair, and when inflammation persists and progresses to chronic inflammation, it can cause harm to the body, which in turn affects cardiovascular health.
Chronic inflammation can lead to damage to the endothelium of blood vessels, forming atherosclerotic plaques that can block blood flow, leading to insufficient blood supply to the heart and increasing the risk of myocardial infarction.
As Mr. Lui's case shows, even if he controls for other risk factors, he may still be at risk of a sudden heart attack if there is a chronic inflammatory response in the body.
Lipoprotein A is a lipoprotein present in the blood that is closely associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease, and studies have shown that levels of lipoprotein A are related to genetic factors, and its elevation can increase the risk of atherosclerosis.
During the examination, Mr. Lu found that the level of lipoprotein A was significantly elevated, reaching 1800 mg/L, while the normal range should be less than 300 mg/L.
Lipoprotein a acts similarly to low-density lipoprotein (LDL), but it is independent of other risk factors, and elevated lipoprotein a may contribute to the development of coronary heart disease even if other indicators are normal.
For those with a family history of early-onset coronary heart disease or poor lipid control, regular lipoprotein A testing is important.
The occurrence of myocardial infarction is not only closely related to the three highs (hypertension, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia), but also affected by lifestyle, dietary habits and genetic factors.
High blood pressure is a major risk factor, and long-term high blood pressure puts excessive pressure on the walls of blood vessels, causing them to harden and easily form plaques.
Similarly, hyperglycemia significantly increases the risk of myocardial infarction, and poor glycemic control in diabetic patients often leads to inflammation of the vascular endothelium, which in turn increases the likelihood of arteriosclerosis.
Hyperlipidemia, especially the rise of LDL cholesterol, promotes the formation of "vascular waste" in the inner wall of blood vessels, thereby accelerating the process of atherosclerosis.
Another key factor to watch out for is the role of inflammatory factors, among which C-reactive protein (CRP) is an important indicator of inflammation levels in the body.
Studies have shown a significant association between elevated CRP levels and the risk of myocardial infarction, so comprehensive management of these risk factors is essential to prevent myocardial infarction.
The prevention of myocardial infarction requires a multi-pronged approach, among which the control of inflammation and the monitoring of relevant indicators are particularly crucial, which are important aspects of the prevention of myocardial infarction and should not be ignored.
Regular check-ups can help people understand their blood pressure, blood sugar, lipid and lipoprotein A levels, and identify potential problems early, so that they can take timely action.
In terms of diet, healthy eating habits are the key to preventing myocardial infarction, and it is recommended to choose a diet low in salt, sugar and fat, eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, and try to avoid high-sugar, high-fat and processed foods to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Regular exercise is also indispensable, and proper exercise can improve cardiopulmonary function and help control weight, thereby effectively reducing the incidence of cardiovascular disease.
Managing stress is equally important, and learning relaxation and stress reduction techniques, such as yoga and meditation, can be effective in reducing inflammation levels in the body.
For patients at risk of cardiovascular disease, it is important to follow the doctor's advice, follow the doctor's instructions for medication, and have regular re-examinations.
Guidelines for the prevention of myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction, often referred to as myocardial infarction, is a serious cardiovascular disease in which myocardial ischemia and necrosis occur due to insufficient blood supply to the coronary arteries.
In recent years, the incidence of myocardial infarction has been on the rise, especially in the middle-aged and elderly population, so it is important to understand the causes of myocardial infarction and its risk factors in order to take effective preventive measures.
The main cause of myocardial infarction is coronary atherosclerosis, a chronic pathological process caused primarily by lipid deposition, inflammatory response, and vascular endothelial damage.
Over time, fat, cholesterol and other substances in the artery walls can form plaques that can narrow the lumen of blood vessels, which can eventually lead to blockages and lead to myocardial ischemia.
In addition, the rupture of plaque can trigger the formation of blood clots, which can further block blood flow, leading to the occurrence of myocardial infarction, which is often sudden, so it is particularly important to have regular physical examinations and monitor relevant indicators.
The risk factors of myocardial infarction mainly include many aspects, among which the "three highs", namely hypertension, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia, are important causes of myocardial infarction.
Long-term high blood pressure not only causes damage to the walls of blood vessels, but also increases the risk of arteriosclerosis; Hyperglycemia can cause damage to the vascular endothelium; Hyperlipidemia, especially elevated LDL cholesterol, accelerates the progression of atherosclerosis, thereby increasing the probability of myocardial infarction.
Smoking is also a significant risk factor, as smoking increases the burden on the heart and further aggravates atherosclerosis, leading to a significantly increased risk of myocardial infarction. The harmful substances in cigarettes not only damage blood vessels, but also cause blood pressure to rise, creating a vicious circle.
Poor eating habits also affect cardiovascular health, and a diet high in salt, fat, and sugar can lead to an increase in blood lipid levels and blood pressure, which can take a toll on the heart.
Obesity is also an important risk factor, which leads to an increase in inflammatory factors in the body, affecting blood sugar and lipid metabolism, which in turn increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Genetic factors also play an important role in the occurrence of myocardial infarction, and people with a family history of cardiovascular disease tend to have a higher incidence of myocardial infarction.
Unhealthy lifestyles, such as lack of exercise and chronic stress, can also significantly increase the risk of heart attack, and understanding and actively managing these risk factors is essential to prevent heart attack.
C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase reactive protein produced by the liver, and its levels rise rapidly in response to inflammation and infection.
CRP can be used not only as a marker of inflammation, but also associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease, and high levels of CRP may indicate the presence of an inflammatory response in the body, increasing the likelihood of cardiovascular events.
Studies have shown that elevated CRP levels are closely related to the formation, rupture and thrombosis of atherosclerotic plaques, and monitoring CRP levels is also an effective way to assess cardiovascular risk in people at high risk of myocardial infarction.
To effectively prevent myocardial infarction, a variety of comprehensive measures can be taken.
Regular check-ups are key, and blood pressure, blood glucose, lipids, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels should be checked regularly to identify potential risks and intervene early.
When it comes to diet, it's equally important to eat a healthy diet that is low in salt, fat and sugar, with plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and high-quality protein, and less processed foods, which can help maintain cardiovascular health.
Regular exercise is also essential, and moderate aerobic exercise can enhance cardiopulmonary function and improve blood circulation, thereby effectively reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
At the same time, it is also very important to quit smoking and limit alcohol, smoking is extremely harmful to cardiovascular health, and it is necessary to quit smoking as much as possible; Drink alcohol in moderation as excessive alcohol consumption can lead to increased blood pressure and weight gain.
Stress management should not be ignored, and psychological counseling, meditation, yoga and other methods can effectively reduce the psychological burden and help improve cardiovascular health.
For patients with diagnosed hypertension, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia, following the doctor's recommendations for medication and regular follow-up to ensure stable condition constitute an effective strategy for preventing myocardial infarction, helping to maintain heart health and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
epilogue
The occurrence of myocardial infarction is not accidental, it is closely related to many factors, especially chronic inflammation and elevated lipoprotein A, in daily life, it is particularly important to maintain cardiovascular health, through regular physical examination, pay attention to blood pressure, blood sugar, blood lipids and lipoprotein A levels.
In addition, a healthy diet, moderate exercise, and a good mental state are all keys to reducing the risk of heart attack. Mr. Lui's story reminds us that health is not just about being asymptomatic, but about actively managing one's physical condition. #秋日生活打卡季#
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