Myocardial infarction is usually caused by a blood clot that stops blood flow in the coronary arteries. To prevent damage to the heart muscle you need urgent treatment, so if you have symptoms of a heart attack Myocardial infarction - symptoms   should immediately call an ambulance.

There are several varieties of myocardial infarction, which is determined by means of an electrocardiogram (ECG). Two main types of myocardial infarction-segment elevation ST (STEMI) and without ST elevation ST (NSTEMI). Treatment depends on the type of infarct.

What happens during a heart attack

Myocardial infarction is one of the coronary arteries or small branches is suddenly blocked. That part of the heart muscle, which receives blood through the blood vessel is deprived of oxygen supply. This can lead to the death of heart muscle tissue, if not restore blood flow as quickly as possible.

If one of the blocked coronary arteries, may be affected a significant portion of the heart muscle; when blocked coronary artery branches bude less extensive damage.

People who have experienced a myocardial infarction in the next few weeks, the dead muscle tissue is replaced by scar tissue.

When STEMI artery supplying blood to part of the heart muscle is blocked completely, with NSTEMI - partially.

Causes

• Blood clots

The most common cause of myocardial infarction are blood clots, or thrombi. Blood clots are formed in healthy arteries; They appear in the blood vessels, the walls of which have atheroma Atheroma - it is better to remove Or atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are formed gradually over several years, and one or more places in the coronary arteries. Each plaque has a solid outer layer, under which is a soft fatty substance. When the upper layer is formed crack atheroma in blood platelet content falls, which triggers the formation of blood clots.

• Other reasons

Much less myocardial infarction due to other causes; Among them: an inflammation of the coronary arteries, a stab wound that affected the heart, blood clot is the coronary arteries, coronary artery spasm (may be caused by, for example, cocaine), a complication of heart surgery Heart surgery - when you need it?   and some rare heart disease Heart disease and heart attacks: that every woman should know .

Risk factors

Factors that increase the risk of heart attack include:

• Smoking;
• High blood pressure;
• Overweight;
• Elevated cholesterol levels;
• Passive lifestyle;
• Malnutrition;
• Diabetes;
• Myocardial infarction is a family history.

Treatment

Aspirin. For suspected myocardial infarction patients are often given aspirin or clopidogrel. Both of these drugs thin the blood, although the principle of their action is not the same.

Injections are usually made of heparin for several days after myocardial infarction, to prevent the formation of new blood clots.

Painkillers. In order to facilitate the patient's condition may require a very strong painkillers.

The most important part of the treatment of patients with myocardial infarction, however, is to restore blood flow to the heart muscle. It uses two basic methods:

Emergency angioplasty - the best treatment option, if there is a possibility of its application, and if you can do it within a few hours after the onset of symptoms. During this procedure through a large artery in the groin area if the arm is introduced thin flexible rod at the end of which is a device, like a small balloon. Using X-ray ball is introduced into the blocked portion of the coronary artery and inflated there. Then, the stent is inserted into an artery - something like a metal grid, which will not allow the arteries to narrow again.

Injections, collapsing the clot - is an alternative to angioplasty. This method is often used - it is simple and occupies a minimum amount of time. One of the most common drugs used in the treatment of myocardial infarction - streptokinase. Patients who were injected with one of streptokinase can not give it to subsequent heart attacks, because the body produces antibodies to it and the second time he will not act.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure is usually asymptomatic, but can cause serious injury and increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and other diseases. A healthy human blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg. The first number (systolic pressure) indicates the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats and the second number (diastolic pressure) represents the pressure when the heart relaxes. The pressure above 150/95 mm Hg is considered high, but normal blood pressure value is also determined by the age, as over the years, pressure is usually increased.

Symptoms of hypertension

For most people, hypertension not accompanied by the symptoms, even if the blood pressure reaches a dangerously high level. Although in rare cases in the early stages of hypertension may be intermittent dizziness, weakness, headache, drowsiness, tinnitus, fatigue, epistaxis, these signs and symptoms usually occur when the blood pressure reaches a critical, sometimes life-threatening , level.

When you need to see a doctor

Measuring blood pressure - a standard part of the medical examination procedures. Starting from twenty years to measure the blood pressure should be at least every two years, or at home on their own, or in a doctor's office. In the presence of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases it is recommended to measure the pressure more often. Children aged 3 years and older Blood pressure is measured in the annual survey.

There are two types of hypertension:

Primary (essential) hypertension

In most cases, to determine the specific cause of high blood pressure in adults is not possible. This type of high blood pressure called a hypertensive disease or primary (essential) hypertension. As the name suggests, there is primary hypertension, and not as a consequence of another disease, and develops gradually over many years.

Secondary hypertension

In some cases, high blood pressure caused by another disorder. This type of high blood pressure is called secondary hypertension. Typically, secondary hypertension occurs suddenly and causes a higher pressure than the primary hypertension. The reason for secondary hypertension can be a variety of diseases and drugs, including:

• kidney disease;
• adrenal tumors;
• some congenital diseases of the blood vessels;
• some medications, such as birth control pills, cold remedies, decongestants, painkillers b6ezretsepturnyh;
• receiving illicit drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines.

Risk factors

Risk factors contributing to the development of hypertension include:

• family history of high blood pressure;
• aging;
• excessive intake of sodium (salt);
• drinking more than 2 alcoholic drinks a day (for men) and more than 1 alcoholic drink (for women);
• overweight or obese;
• sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity;
• high cholesterol or low levels of high-density lipoprotein ("useful" cholesterol);
• inadequate intake of potassium, magnesium and calcium;
• Sleep Apnea Dreams: how to understand our dreams   and violation of breathing during sleep;
• smoking;
• diabetes Diabetes - threatening and incurable disease ;
• male;
• obezvolivayuschih prolonged use of agents such as NSAIDs: naproxen (ALEV), ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil), COX-2 inhibitors: celecoxib (Celebrex). Aspirin does not increase the risk of hypertension.

Also, the risk factors may include any diseases of the cardiovascular system, including ischemic heart disease, heart attack, stroke and kidney failure.

Complications of hypertension

Excessive pressure on the artery wall caused by high blood pressure may cause damage to blood vessels and organs. The higher the blood pressure, and the longer it remains uncontrolled, the greater the likelihood of complications.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to:

• heart attack or stroke. Increased pressure can cause thickening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) that can lead to heart attack, stroke or other complications.
• aneurysm. High blood pressure can lead to deformation and stretching of the blood vessel and aneurysm formation. Aneurysm rupture can be life-threatening.
• heart failure. The heart muscle thickens in order to pump blood through the vessels under high pressure. Eventually, the thickened muscle can not cope with the pumping of blood needed to meet the needs of the organism, which can lead to heart failure.
• weakening and vasoconstriction in the kidney. Damage to blood vessels can lead to impaired renal function.
• tension, contraction, or rupture of blood vessels in the eyes. This can lead to vision loss.
• metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a collection of metabolic disorders Metabolism: The basis of life of all living things , Which include an increase in waist circumference, high triglycerides, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and high levels of insulin The principles of action of insulin - the science of saving lives .
• problems with memory or understanding. Uncontrolled high blood pressure also may affect your ability to think, remember and perceive new information. Problems with memory or understanding of more common in people with high blood pressure.