Myocardial infarction

Myocardial infarction commonly known as a heart attack is the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart causing heart cells to die. This is most commonly due to occlusion of a coronary artery after the rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque. The resulting ischaemia if left untreated for a sufficient period of time can cause damage or death of heart muscle tissue.

Heart attack rates are higher in intense exertions, such as psychological stress or physical exertion. Acute severe infection, such as pneumonia, can trigger myocardial infarction. Important risk factors are previous cardiovascular disease, older age, tobacco smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, excessive alcohol consumption.

The onset of symptoms in myocardial infarction is usually gradual, over several minutes. Chest pain is the most common symptom of acute myocardial infarction and is often described as a sensation of tightness, pressure, or squeezing. Chest pain due to ischaemia of the heart muscle is termed angina pectoris. Pain radiates most often to the left arm, but may also radiate to the lower jaw, neck, right arm, back, and epigastrium.

Other symptoms include weakness, nausea, vomiting, and palpitation. Loss of consciousness and sudden death can occur in myocardial infarction. Women may experience fewer typical symptoms than men, most commonly shortness of breath, weakness, a feeling of indigestion, and fatigue. Approximately one quarter of all myocardial infarctions is “silent”, without chest pain or other symptoms.

Among the diagnostic tests available to detect heart muscle damage are an electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiography, and various blood tests. Immediate treatment for suspected acute myocardial infarction includes oxygen, aspirin, and sublingual nitroglycerin. Most cases are treated with thrombolysis or percutaneous coronary intervention. Heart attacks are the leading cause of death for both men and women worldwide. The risk of a recurrent myocardial infarction decreases with blood pressure control and lifestyle changes, regular exercise, a certain diet for patients with heart disease, and limitation of smoking and alcohol intake.

Exercise 5. Answer the following questins:

1. What is myocardial infarction?

2. What is the most common cause of myocardial infarction?

3. What are the important risk factors for myocardial infarction?

4. List all possible symptoms of myocardial infarction.

5. What diagnostic tests are used to detect heart muscle damage?

6. What should people do to decrease the risk of a recurrent myocardial infarction?

Exercise 6. Read and translate the following word-combinations:

Interruption of blood supply; rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque; intense exertions; obesity, chronic kidney disease and heart failure; a sensation of tightness, pressure, or squeezing; angina pectoris, a feeling of indigestion and fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and palpitation, to decreasethe risk of a recurrent myocardial infarction.