Myocardial Infarction (MI)

What is Myocardial Infarction (MI)?

Myocardial infarction (MI), also known as a heart attack, occurs when a blocked artery prevents oxygen-rich blood from reaching a section of the heart muscle. This can happen if a buildup of plaque in the artery breaks apart and forms a blood clot, blocking the artery completely. Without oxygen, the heart muscle begins to die. Common symptoms include chest pain, dizziness, nausea, fatigue and shortness of breath.

Who is at Risk for Developing Myocardial Infarction?

Those at risk for myocardial infarction include people with uncontrolled high blood pressure, unstable or high cholesterol, diabetes, a family history of heart attack, obesity, smoking, heavy alcohol use, and inactivity.

Types of Myocardial Infarction

There are two types of myocardial infarction: STEMI (ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction) and NSTEMI (non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction). STEMI is a more serious type of heart attack, in which the affected artery is completely blocked and the heart muscle is deprived of oxygen. NSTEMI is a less severe type of heart attack, in which the artery is partially blocked and some oxygen-rich blood reaches the heart muscle.

Symptoms of Myocardial Infarction

The most common symptom of a myocardial infarction is chest pain. Other symptoms may include:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Pain in other parts of the body, such as the arms, neck, or jaw
  • Nausea
  • Sweating
  • Lightheadedness
  • Fatigue

Treatments for Myocardial Infarction

The primary treatment for myocardial infarction is to restore the blood supply to the heart muscle. This can be done with medications, a combination of medications and surgery or with a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Medications such as aspirin, beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, and statins can help reduce the risk of another heart attack. Surgery may involve opening the blocked artery to restore blood flow, or it may involve bypassing the blocked artery with either an artificial artery or a segment of healthy artery taken from another part of the body.

Prevention of Myocardial Infarction

The best way to prevent a myocardial infarction is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This includes quitting smoking, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol. It is also important to keep blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels under control. People at higher risk for myocardial infarction may also take low-dose aspirin, as recommended by their doctor.

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