Mycardial infarction

Question 1

What is it?

Answer 1

more severe + prolonged angina pectoris
when one of the arteries that supplies the heart muscles becomes blocked. Blockage by spasm of the artery or atherosclerosis with acute clot formation. This results in damaged tissue + permanent loss of contraction of this portion of the heart muscle.

Question 2

Signs

Answer 2

sudden clutching of chest, grey appearance, possible collapse, weak pulse, fallen blood pressure

Question 3

Symptoms

Answer 3

sudden crushing pain of chest that isn’t relieved by GTN spray

Question 4

Action

Answer 4

have suction ready in case of vomiting, call 999, keep pt still + warm, keep chair upright and legs horizontally

Question 5

Management

Answer 5

call an ambulance, apply ABCDE approach

• put pt in sitting position and administer oxygen 10-15 litres per min
• use their GTN spray
• whilst waiting for ambulance,300mg aspirin crushed or chewed
• reassure them