|
MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION
Acute myocardial infarction occurs in approximately 900,000 persons
in the United States each year and it is fatal in about one-fourth
of these cases. Approximately one-half of the fatalities occur within
one hour of the onset of symptoms and before the patient reaches
the hospital; this is the largest cause of sudden cardiac death.
Myocardial Infarction (MI) is what we commonly call a heart attack.
It is the complete stoppage of the heart beat. MI is a condition
caused by partial or complete blockage of one or more of the coronary
arteries. Myocardial refers to the muscle or tissue of the heart.
An infarct is an area of tissue in the heart that dies due to the
lack of blood supply. Arterial sclerosis causes the reduced blood
supply to the heart. As the heart muscle dies from a lack of blood
supply, or if an artery becomes totally blocked or occluded, the
heart stops functioning.
The symptoms for Myocardial Infarction may include prolonged heavy
pressure or squeezing pain in the chest. The pain may spread or
be localized to the neck, left shoulder, arm, hand and fingers.
The symptoms may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sweating, and
shortness of breath. It is believed that up to one-third of Myocardial
Infractions go undetected. These are called silent infarctions.
The patients who have silent infarctions and have no history of
angina have a greater risk of dying of coronary heart disease than
those who do have a history of a recognized heart attach.
It is imperative that medical treatment be instituted without delay.
Many MI patients not treated prior to reaching the hospital die.
Immediate administration of life support measures is necessary.
After the patient is stabilized, therapy should be provided in a
coronary care unit.
A damaged heart muscle can not be repaired, but the blocked artery
can often be repaired or replaced. Treatment can include thrombolytic
drug therapy (these are blood clot busting drugs), angioplasty or
surgery.
|
Bikers Lawyers 
