Hi readers, today I would like to talk a little about the Myocardial Infarction (MI), which is one of the most frequent cardiovascular diseases and with high mortality. And I want to direct this post mainly to the public in general and not only to the health crew, so this can be a useful and simple informative tool.

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Acute Myocardial Infarction is the death (necrosis) of the heart muscle (myocardium) due to insufficient oxygen supply to the tissue, which commonly occurs due to obstruction of the coronary arteries that carry blood to the heart. This is more common in men than in women, in black people, and has a higher incidence after age 45, always associated with risk factors such as: obesity, smoking, diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, high blood pressure, others.

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But How to suspect the presence of a MI?

The symptoms are usually quite characteristic, presenting the called "Typical Coronary Pain". Which has the following characteristics:

Oppressive pain (feeling of weight in the chest).

Retrosternal location (behind the sternum), with the exception of the diabetic who can present it in the epigastrium (upper part of the abdomen)

Strong intensity, patients usually attribute 10 points on the subjective pain scale.

It radiates to the neck, jaw, left arm, interscapular region (back).

It lasts more than 30 minutes and does not improve with rest.

It is accompanied by anginal equivalents: dyspnea, nausea, vomiting, profuse sweating, marked skin pallor, distal coldness, feeling of wanting to evacuate.

The pain is not modified with breathing or with the acupressure of the thoracic wall.

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In case of presenting such symptoms it is important to go immediately to the nearest health center to be evaluated by a specialist and complete the diagnosis with the development of an electrocardiogram and measurement of cardiac enzymes (total CK, CK-MB, troponins). And determine the hospitalization in the coronary care unit.

I hope the post has been instructive enough and can help you recognize this medical emergency if you or a family member presents it.

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