Myocardial infarction is ischemic necrosis (death) of the heart muscle that develops as a result of acute coronary insufficiency. It usually occurs when coronary blood flow is completely blocked or sharply reduced due to thrombosis of the coronary arteries.
The first typical sign is sudden, severe pain behind the breastbone (in the middle of the chest). The pain may also spread to the left arm, shoulder, back, lower jaw, neck and the area between the shoulder blades. In other cases, a heart attack may cause not pain but chest discomfort – a sensation of intense squeezing, pressure or heaviness. The pain may sometimes be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, cold sweat, anxiety, fear of death, irregular heartbeat, difficulty breathing and loss of consciousness. However, in some cases a person can have a heart attack without noticing any symptoms at all.
Causes
Coronary artery embolism
Coronary artery atherosclerosis
Congenital defects of the coronary arteries
Damage to the coronary arteries from other causes
Risk factors
obesity
high blood pressure
diabetes mellitus
neuropsychological stress
alcohol and tobacco use
Diagnosis of myocardial infarction
Blood tests
ECG and exercise stress ECG
Echocardiography
Coronary angiography
Information on this site is general and does not replace an examination by a doctor.