Watch your heart

Myocardial infarction (there are other types of strokes, as the brain, for example) is the result of obstruction of blood flow in the arteries that nourish the heart and causes death and dysfunction of the tissue that is supplied by that artery, in other words, you lose the function of contraction and the pumping capacity of a part of the heart where the artery is occluded. Is always accompanied by a sharp chest pain that often can be confused with other things because the pain is located very near the base of the sternum and can be confused with gastric or biliary colic.

May also occur in the neck radiating pain in the lower jaw and this is also often confused with other symptoms, while the statistics say that 10% to 20% of people who have suffered myocardial infarction have confused initially with another disease.

Given these symptoms so ambiguous, it is useful to know how to recognize it.

Chest pain of high intensity, a sense of oppression comparable to having a brick in the chest, dizziness and sweating are reasons to go quickly to an emergency department, where he underwent two tests that determine whether or not the heart the cause of the symptoms. These tests are an electrocardiogram (a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart) and blood tests, which accompanied the patient what you tell your doctor determine exactly whether or not myocardial infarction.

The reason to go as soon as possible to an emergency department is that the sooner treatment is started, which now ranges from drugs that liquefy the clots that are clogging the arteries to open them literally or angioplasty catheters, more amount infarction can be saved and more deaths are preventable.

Determinants of thrombus formation are the irregular surface of the vessels, slowing blood flow, as seen in varicose people, which may undergo changes in coagulation and, especially atherosclerosis, a vascular disorder characterized by the accumulation of lipids, mainly cholesterol and fatty-acids in the inner lining of arteries, forming the so-called plaques, which cause occlusion and hardening of the arteries affected.

The origin of emboli found in conditions of the heart, arteries and veins. If they are solid or liquid, its detachment may be caused by physical exertion, whether it is air or gas, is produced in the lung surgery, neck and mediastinum, to open a vein, or neck trauma in the which adversely affects the large veins. The gas piston is of the danger of reaching the brain, invading massively and causing instant death.

Among the most common causes of a heart attack are diabetes, obesity, stress, smoking, hypertension and, of course heredity. There are other factors that may trigger such as extreme cold, excessive physical activity, bleeding and strong emotions.

In cases in which infarction has not led to the destruction of a vital organ like the heart, for example, in which case death will, the patient may be subjected to prolonged medical treatment, including medication administration and practice of some special exercises and diet control and elimination of harmful habits like smoking or excessive drinking.

Despite the drawbacks mentioned, it is often those who have suffered a heart attack can lead an almost normal life, in moderation parameters to be determined by the physician in charge of the treatment.

General Treatment:

What is treatment of an acute myocardial infarction?

More important than treatment is prevention, so we look at risk factors that you can avoid.

At the hospital, treatment consists of:

* The administration of oxygen at 2 or 4 liters per minute.
* Bedrest.
* Ease the pain: Initially with nitroglycerin, and unless transferred with morphine (1-4mg EV) (if heart rate is not less than 60 beats per minute).
* The use of sedatives.
* The use of laxatives to prevent constipation and straining which may arise from it.
* Use of ASA (aspirin) at a rate of 160-325 mg.
* And most importantly, reperfusion therapy since it was invented to as much success in treatment, provided this is done at 3 to 6 hours after the start of the stroke.

What else should I know about the myocardial infarction?

That compared with a suspected heart attack, it is important to remain calm and seek help immediately.

That the most important to prevent it is to practice a healthy lifestyle: Eat healthy, exercise, and avoiding medicine.

That each person should do a check annually with your doctor, and if you had an associated disease (diabetes, hypertension, obesity, etc.) take strict control of it.