Cardiovascular Health - Myocardial Infarction (MI) Flashcards
Q: What is myocardial infarction (MI)?
A: MI is an acute blockage of a coronary artery, usually caused by a thrombus, leading to the death of myocardial tissue. Prolonged ischemia causes myocardial necrosis and pain from adenosine and lactate release onto nerve endings.
Q: What are the two types of myocardial infarction?
A:
ST-Segment Elevation MI (STEMI): Full occlusion of a coronary artery, considered more severe.
Non-ST-Elevation MI (NSTEMI): Partial occlusion of a coronary artery.
Q: What are the causes and risk factors for myocardial infarction?
A:
Sex: Males are approximately 3 times more likely to experience MI due to higher androgen levels contributing to atherosclerosis.
Psychosocial factors: Stress, loss of locus of control, or sudden life events like job loss or marital separation can increase MI risk.
Other factors: Drug-induced MI (e.g., cocaine), high myocardial oxygen demand (e.g., severe hypertension), low oxygen supply (e.g., severe anemia), or vasculitis syndromes (e.g., temporal arteritis).
Q: What are the signs and symptoms of myocardial infarction?
A:
Severe, prolonged crushing retrosternal chest pain radiating to the left shoulder, jaw, neck, or arms.
Other symptoms include sweating, cool/clammy skin, feeling of ‘impending doom’, dyspnoea, syncope, nausea, vomiting, and weakness.
Q: What complications can arise from a myocardial infarction?
A: Complications include arrhythmias, heart failure, cardiogenic shock, and death.
Q: How is myocardial infarction diagnosed and treated in conventional medicine?
A:
Diagnosis: MI is diagnosed with ECG findings.
Treatment: Acute management includes fibrinolysis, oxygen therapy, morphine, nitrates, beta-blockers, and aspirin.
