Myocardial Infarction

📖What is Myocardial Infarction?

Myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart muscle is abruptly blocked, usually by a blood clot forming over a ruptured cholesterol plaque in a coronary artery. The resulting lack of oxygen causes heart muscle cells in the affected area to begin dying within minutes, making a heart attack a time-critical medical emergency where "time is muscle." It typically presents with sudden, severe chest pain, though presentation can be less typical in women, older adults, and people with diabetes. Rapid diagnosis through ECG and cardiac biomarker blood tests, followed by prompt restoration of blood flow, significantly improves survival and reduces permanent heart damage. Recovery involves cardiac rehabilitation and long-term management of underlying risk factors to prevent recurrence.

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