A heart attack or Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) ranks as the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This condition occurs when there is a diminished blood supply to the heart, interrupting myocardial cellular function and homeostasis, also known as myocardial ischemia. This ischemia maintained at a critical theshold level for an extended period results in irreversible myocardial cell damage or death.
This is a regular admission to the Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital ER, which has lead to the creation and implimentation of a AMI protocol that has been specifically developed in order to minimize the time to definitive treatment and reduce the mortality and morbidity associated with this condition. Additionally, the Hospital has a dedicated CathLab, Interventional Radiography Suites, Cardiothorasic Surgery Specializations and a CCU (Coronary Care Unit), all focusing on the critical care of the AMI patient.
Sings and symptoms of a heart attack:
AMI's can have unique presentations in individual patients. Symptoms may range from none at all to sudden cardiac death. The more common symptoms include:
An MI can occur at any time of the day, but most appear to be clustered around the early hours of the morning or are associated with physical activity, or both. Approximately 50% of patients have some warning symptoms before the event.
AMI's can have unique presentations in individual patients. Symptoms may range from none at all to sudden cardiac death. The more common symptoms include:
- Chest pain described as a pressure sensation, fullness, or squeezing of the chest
- Radiation of chest pain into the jaw or teeth, shoulder, arm, and/or back
- Associated shortness of breath
- Associated epigastric discomfort with or without nausea and vomiting
- Associated sweating
An MI can occur at any time of the day, but most appear to be clustered around the early hours of the morning or are associated with physical activity, or both. Approximately 50% of patients have some warning symptoms before the event.
There are three main steps you can take to help prevent a heart attack:
- Eat a healthy balanced diet
- Avoid smoking
- Try to keep your blood pressure at a healthy level
An Injury and Prevention Awareness Project brought to you by Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital Trauma & Emergency Centre.