Heart Attack
(Myocardial Infarction)

What is a heart attack (myocardial infarction or MI)?

A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, occurs when one of more regions of the heart muscle experience a severe or prolonged lack of oxygen caused by blocked blood flow to the heart muscle.

The blockage is often a result of atherosclerosis - a buildup of plaque, known as cholesterol, other fatty substances, and a blood clot. Plaque inhibits and obstructs the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart, thus reducing the flow to the rest of the body. The cause of a heart attack is a blood clot that forms within the plaque-obstructed area.

If the blood and oxygen supply is cut off severely or for a long period of time, muscle cells of the heart suffer damage and die. The result is dysfunction of the muscle of the heart in the area affected by the lack of oxygen.

What are the risk factors for heart attack?

There are two types of risk factors for heart attack, including:

Inherited Heart Attack (or genetic):
Inherited or genetic risk factors are risk factors you are born with that cannot be changed, but can be improved with medical management and lifestyle changes.

Acquired Heart Attack:
Acquired risk is caused by activities that we choose to include in our lives that can be managed through lifestyle changes and clinical care.

Managing heart attack risk factors:

Managing your risks for a heart attack begins with:

* examining which of the risk factors apply to you, and then taking steps to eliminate or reduce them.
* becoming aware of conditions like hypertension or abnormal cholesterol levels, which may be "silent killers."
* modifying risk factors that are acquired, not inherited, through lifestyle changes. See your physician as the first step in starting right away to make these changes.
* consulting your physician soon to determine if you have risk factors that are genetic or inherited and cannot be changed, but can be managed medically and through lifestyle changes.

Responding to heart attack warning signs:

If you, or someone you know exhibits any of the above warning signs, act immediately. Call 911, or your local emergency number.

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The content provided here is for informational purposes only, and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease, or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your physician. Please consult your physician with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.

To learn more about the symptoms of heart attack visit PepinHeart.org

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