A heart attack (myocardial infarction) occurs when blood cannot reach any heart section. Abnormal blood supply to heart sections can make the muscle damaged from oxygen lack and result in death.
Most heart attacks result from coronary artery disease. CAD is a disease which can develops in some years, with gradual accumulation of plaque on the coronary arteries’ inner walls. What normally happens is that a plaque section breaks and causes the blood clot formation. Generally a heart attack can happen when the clot grows large and can block most of blood flow via the arteries. Thus the heart parts that cannot receive blood are dying.
Another heart attack cause is represented by microvascular disease occurring because of problems with microscopic blood vessels found in the heart.
Being a medical emergency in case of a heart attack attempts are usually made to normalize the state of a patient on the way to hospital. When a heart attack is actually confirmed by an electrocardiogram, blood tests and coronary angiography, the treatment course starts.
Different medicines can be used in the cure of a heart attack. Most of the medications have functions of blood dissolving, thinning, preventing blood clots, reducing blood pressure, relieving anxiety and pain. Dependant on the patient’s condition, he/she may undergo a procedure. Another option is represented by a non-surgical procedure angioplasty. A surgeon inserts a catheter with a balloon tip. This tube is normally inserted via the leg artery, then it is passed until the blocked portion. After that the balloon tip is inflated to open the blocked artery. At times some kind of metal mesh stent is inserted to open the artery.
The surgery of coronary artery bypass may also be performed. During this surgery, veins or arteries are taken from other body parts, and are used to direct the flow of the blood around the area that is blocked. It is a major surgery, so it may be performed after the heart has recovered from a heart attack.
In terms of any heart disease, prevention is better than treatment. Eat healthy food, exercise on a regular basis, cope with stress, and you will greatly decrease the risk of developing a heart attack. If you have the signs or suspect that you may have a heart attack, you should know this is a medical emergency! Dial 911immediately!