What causes a myocardial infarction to occur?
A myocardial infarction occurs when blood flow decreases or stops in one of the arteries of the heart. This interruption causes tissue death to the heart muscle itself.
Questions about Myocardial infarction
Short answers, pulled from the story.
How do symptoms of a myocardial infarction differ between men and women?
Women more often present without chest pain and instead have neck pain or feel tired. Females are less likely to report chest pain and more likely to report nausea, jaw pain, neck pain, cough, and fatigue.
Which biomarkers confirm a diagnosis of myocardial infarction?
Doctors measure this damage by checking for specific proteins in the blood called biomarkers. Troponins are considered the best biomarkers because they have greater sensitivity and specificity for measuring injury to the heart muscle.
What is the primary treatment method for ST elevation myocardial infarction?
In a STEMI, treatments attempt to restore blood flow to the heart using percutaneous coronary intervention or thrombolysis. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention is the treatment of choice if it can be performed within 90 to 120 minutes of contact with a medical provider.
When should beta blocker therapy begin after a myocardial infarction?
Beta blocker therapy should be started within 24 hours provided there is no acute heart failure or heart block. ACE inhibitor therapy should also be started within 24 hours and continued indefinitely at the highest tolerated dose.