Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death worldwide. Poor nutrition, lack of adequate physical activity, bad habits, constant stress, inattention to one's health increase the risk of heart failure, hypertension and, as a result, a possible heart attack.
Signs of a microinfarction
Microinfarction is a pathology in which the heart muscle does not receive sufficient blood supply and its tissues die off, as in a normal heart attack. Most often this occurs due to atherosclerosis: particles of cholesterol plaques break off from the walls of blood vessels and block the coronary arteries. The main difference is a small area of myocardial damage, and in most cases, an asymptomatic, erased course of the disease.
Most often, a microinfarction occurs in men 35–65 years old, women get sick at an older age, since estrogens protect the cardiovascular system.
There are several risk factors. First of all, these are people with coronary artery disease (CHD) or previously had a heart attack, patients with uncontrolled arterial hypertension and high blood cholesterol levels. Also at risk are people with diabetes mellitus, obesity and having all of the above diseases in a family history.
Signs of a microinfarction are varied and individual for each patient. The main complaints with this disease:
- burning or pressing pain behind the sternum;
- irradiation of pain in the arm, under the scapula, in the lower jaw;
- the appearance or aggravation of shortness of breath;
- numbness of the limbs;
- weak relief of pain syndrome with nitroglycerin preparations.
It is noticed that the manifestations of a microinfarction may differ in representatives of different sexes. Women are more likely to suffer illness on their legs, they are more tolerant of pain and worsening of the condition, and write off all complaints of fatigue and hormonal changes.
Signs of a microinfarction transferred on the legs in women:
- discomfort in the chest area;
- the heaviness of breathing;
- blue discoloration of the mouth and nose (cyanosis);
- dizziness and weakness.
How to determine if you have a microinfarction and not transfer it on your legs
Unfortunately, the modern rhythm of life exposes people to constant stress and leads to poor health. Patients often do not pay attention to various ailments and do not rush to consult a doctor.
If you suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, be especially careful about how you feel. It is important to remember that a heart attack is often hidden by the appearance of other diseases, so patients can ignore the onset of symptoms and already discover the consequences of a microinfarction.
It is very difficult to diagnose the disease on your own. In the presence of risk factors, you should immediately seek medical help if the following complaints appear:
- severe weakness and dizziness;
- nausea, abdominal pain;
- a feeling of fear of death;
- cold sweat.
With mild pain in the heart, the above symptoms are attributed to fatigue, nervous strain, and even food poisoning or problems with the gastrointestinal tract. If you do not start treatment on time with a microinfarction, there is a risk of complications: hypotension, arrhythmias, blood clots. In the future, this can lead to repeated heart attacks, pulmonary edema, heart failure, sudden death.
Where to go and what to do when symptoms appear
If the above symptoms appear, you should immediately call an ambulance, which will provide the necessary assistance and take the patient to a specialized clinic for further diagnosis and treatment. Before the arrival of doctors, it is better for the patient to lie down and provide access to oxygen - unbutton the collar, open the window. Of the medicines, you need to take an acetylsalicylic acid tablet. Nitroglycerin is recommended if a person has taken it before, as the drug can dramatically lower blood pressure.
In any case, in the event of complaints from the work of the cardiovascular system, it is necessary to consult a therapist or cardiologist. The clinic will carry out instrumental and laboratory tests: ECG, general clinical and biochemical blood tests, troponin tests, if necessary, angiography. The doctor will be able to assess the work of the heart, the presence of its pathologies, as well as identify concomitant diseases and risk factors.
A microinfarction is easier to prevent than to cure. For this, it is advisable to regularly visit your therapist and follow his prescriptions. The doctor can give recommendations on a healthy lifestyle, diet and physical activity, and prescribe the necessary medications. To prevent blood clots, acetylsalicylic acid preparations (Cardiomagnyl) are often prescribed, which thin the blood and reduce the risk of myocardial infarction.
Conclusions
Patients sometimes perceive a microinfarction as something insignificant and does not pose a threat to health and life. It is very important to consult a doctor when the first symptoms appear, since a timely diagnosed small focal infarction can be successfully cured and the blood supply to the myocardium will be restored. To prevent new episodes of the disease and its complications, you need to adhere to the recommendations of the attending physician, lead a healthy lifestyle and be attentive to your well-being.
