Myocardial infarction, an area of ischemic necrosis of the heart muscle caused by an acute disruption of coronary blood flow, usually presents with burning, pressing or squeezing pain behind the breastbone, shortness of breath, a feeling of fear and cold sweat.
In severe cases, the pain spreads to the left arm, shoulder, back and lower jaw. Complications make the course of myocardial infarction more severe.
In most patients, various types of arrhythmia are recorded during the first 3 days: extrasystoles, sinus or paroxysmal tachycardia, atrial fibrillation and complete intraventricular block. Ventricular flutter can turn into fibrillation and may end in the patient's death.
In the most severe degree of left ventricular failure, characterized by congestive crackles and pulmonary edema, cardiogenic shock with a fatal outcome is observed.
Rupture of muscle fibers in the necrotic area can lead to cardiac tamponade – bleeding into the pericardial cavity.
In extensive myocardial infarction, an acute cardiac aneurysm may form. Within the first 10 days, a person may die from rupture of the ventricular wall associated with acute circulatory disruption.
When fibrin builds up on the vessel wall, mural thromboendocarditis develops; thrombotic material breaking off from it creates a risk of embolism in the vessels of the lungs, brain and kidneys.
Information on this site is general and does not replace an examination by a doctor.