1. Diagnostics
1.1. Blood Test
1.1.1. A blood test can be performed to check for levels of troponin, which is a protein - usually found in muscle tissue - that the heart releases into circulation when it suffers damage (Heart Attack, 2024).
1.2. Electrocardiogram (EKG)
1.2.1. An electrocardiogram (EKG) is typically the first test completed and can identify any heart arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation (Heart Attack, 2024).
1.3. Angiogram
1.3.1. A coronary catheter is positioned in the artery which releases dye to assist in visualizing the coronary arteries on an X-ray image and identifying points of blockage (Heart Attack, 2024).
2. Treatment
2.1. Coronary Angioplasty & Stent
2.1.1. A narrow tube is guided down the coronary artery to the site of blockage (Heart Attack, 2024). A small balloon is then inflated to enlarge the area and allow blood flow to resume (Heart Attack, 2024). A tiny stent is then installed at the site to maintain an open artery (Heart Attack, 2024).
2.2. Medication
2.2.1. Aspirin
2.2.1.1. This antiplatelet is an emergency medication given during a heart attack that can allow blood to circulate through narrowed arteries (Heart Attack, 2024).
2.2.2. Thrombolytics
2.2.2.1. These drugs can assist in destroying existing blood clots and should be given as soon as possible during a heart attack as this increases survival rates (Heart Attack, 2024)
2.2.3. Nitroglycerin
2.2.3.1. This vasodilator helps expand the arteries, allowing improved circulation to the heart (Heart Attack, 2024). It can also be used to manage chest pain during an MI (Heart Attack, 2024).
2.2.4. Beta Blockers
2.2.4.1. A beta blocker like metoprolol can lower heart rate and blood pressure in a heart attack victim and can help reduce damage to cardiac muscle tissue (Heart Attack, 2024).
2.2.5. Statins
2.2.5.1. A statin such as atorvastatin can lower a person's LDL cholesterol which is responsible for clogging arteries (Heart Attack, 2024).
2.3. Cardiologist
2.3.1. Post heart attack, regularly seeing a cardiologist can help monitor damage done to cardiac muscle tissue and keep an eye on any further promblems stemming from the MI (Cardiologist, 2024).
3. Etiology
3.1. Atherosclerosis leads to the accumulation over time of cholesterol and other matter around the walls of the RCA and LMCA (Heart Attack: Causes and Risk Factors, 2022).
4. Risk Factors
4.1. Primary factors that increase the risk of heart attack are poor diet (i.e., too much salt and saturated fat), a sedentary lifestyle, high cholesterol, and obesity (Heart Attack: Causes and Risk Factors, 2022).
5. Signs & Symptoms
5.1. Indicators of a heart attack include chest pain, dyspnea, fatigue, and vertigo (Heart Attack, 2023). Other warning signs might be increased anxiety, nausea and vomiting, and perfuse sweating without any identifiable reason (Heart Attack, 2023).
6. Other Body Systems
6.1. Brain
6.1.1. As blood may not be circulating properly to the brain, vertigo, disorientation, and memory impairment can occur (How Heart Disease Affects the Body, 2024).
6.2. Lungs
6.2.1. When the heart can't circulate blood proficiently, excess fluid may be retained in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe and leading to a medical emergency known as pulmonary edema (How Heart Disease Affects the Body, 2024).
6.3. Kidneys
6.3.1. A reduction in circulation to the kidneys may undermine kidney function and also cause fluid to build up (How Heart Disease Affects the Body, 2024).
6.4. Liver
6.4.1. As blood isn't efficiently pumping to the liver, this can negatively impact liver function and compromise the liver's ability to eliminate harmful matter from the body (How Heart Disease Affects the Body, 2024).