Acute myocardial infarction: warning signs and symptoms

The leading cause of death in the world is cardiovascular diseases, known as acute myocardial infarction and cerebral vascular disease. In Panama, specifically, acute myocardial infarction is among the leading causes of death nationwide. For the year 2017, acute myocardial infarction was the cause of death of 1623 Panamanians according to statistical data from the National Institute of Statistics and Census of the Comptroller General of the Republic of Panama. With these figures on the table, let's learn more about this condition, how to prevent it, how to identify it and what to do. 

In cardiology, there is no disease more relevant than acute myocardial infarction. Many times this term is referred to by the population as "cardiac arrest" or "heart attack." Acute myocardial infarction is the most common presentation of ischemic heart disease, which involves diseases that alter the balance between the supply and demand of oxygen in the heart.

In simple terms, myocardial infarction is the death of heart cells with contractile function and replacement of the dead tissue with a scar. Depending on the extent of the damage to the heart, it can even cause the person's death if it is not detected and treated in a timely manner. Unfortunately, about half of people who develop an acute myocardial infarction die before receiving medical attention due to the development of rupture of the heart muscle or lethal arrhythmias.

The main cause of acute myocardial infarction is coronary artery disease, a disease that is conditioned by cardiovascular risk factors, some of which are modifiable such as smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, dyslipidemia, physical inactivity and stress. Cardiovascular prevention and control of cardiovascular risk factors, guided by a doctor specializing in cardiology, reduces the probability of developing an acute myocardial infarction.

symptomatology
The classic symptom of myocardial infarction is chest pain, which is usually oppressive in nature and with an imminent feeling of death; which can limit physical activity and is usually associated with shortness of breath, profuse sweating or weakness. This undesirable sensation must be "a warning sign" for immediate attention by qualified personnel in an emergency room.

In recent years, global campaigns have been developed to better understand cardiovascular pathology in women, considering risk factors and pathophysiological mechanisms that are very particular to the female gender. Women may experience different symptoms than those experienced by men when faced with an acute myocardial infarction. Many times, the classic symptom of chest pain does not exist and rather they seek medical attention due to shortness of breath, weakness and even gastrointestinal discomfort.

For both genders, the main link in the "chain of survival" in the event of a myocardial infarction is the suspicion of the ongoing condition by the individual, family member or caregiver, and then seeking early medical attention, since "time is muscle." . Early detection and timely treatment can reduce complications and even death.