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Acute myocardial infarction
Can myocardial infarction recover by itself?
A very small number of myocardial infarction patients may recover on their own without realizing they have had a myocardial infarction. This usually happens when the affected area is relatively small. Some patients do not experience significant symptoms like chest pain or tightness, often overlooking these symptoms and not seeking medical attention. Later, during routine physical examinations and electrocardiograms, changes indicative of an old myocardial infarction may be discovered. This scenario occurs particularly in patients with diabetes. On the other hand, in cases of extensive myocardial infarction, spontaneous recovery is not possible. Without active treatment, the mortality rate remains high. Therefore, patients experiencing persistent severe chest pain are advised to seek medical help promptly. Early treatment not only increases the benefit to the patient but also reduces the complications associated with myocardial infarction.
Can myocardial infarction recover?
After a myocardial infarction occurs, the myocardium cannot return to its original state. Thus, the heart itself also constrains the overall state of the body, and the whole body can no longer return to its original state. Myocardial infarction means the necrosis of myocardial cells. The heart itself loses some of its myocardial function, and after losing part of the myocardium, myocardial remodeling occurs. These changes act as compensation, and through aggressive treatment, the function of the remaining myocardium can be preserved to the greatest extent. If a myocardial infarction occurs, immediate interventional treatment or thrombolytic therapy can prevent myocardial cell necrosis, or even make it minimal. In this case, the heart as a whole is nearly normal, and its function is unaffected. The larger the area of myocardial necrosis, the less remaining function the heart has. If the area affected by the myocardial infarction is relatively small, and with aggressive, long-term treatment, the function of the heart can be preserved to the greatest extent. Thus, the prognosis is generally better. The larger the area of myocardial infarction, the worse the prognosis.
Principles of Rescue for Myocardial Infarction
For patients with myocardial infarction, we emphasize early detection and hospital admission, as well as strengthening on-site management before hospitalization. The treatment principle is to restore myocardial blood perfusion as soon as possible. Within 30 minutes of arriving at the hospital, thrombolysis or interventional treatment should begin to save the dying myocardium, prevent the expansion of infarction area, or reduce the range of myocardial ischemia, protect and maintain heart function, promptly deal with severe arrhythmias, heart failure, and various complications, prevent sudden death, so that patients can not only survive the acute phase but also maintain as many functional myocardial cells as possible after recovery.
Heart attack tests
Patients with myocardial infarction require the following comprehensive assessments: 1. Electrocardiogram (ECG). An ECG is an essential test that can reveal specific changes associated with myocardial infarction. 2. Cardiac echocardiography. This imaging test can reflect the activity of the ventricular walls and cardiac function. 3. Laboratory tests, such as complete blood count (CBC). A CBC can show increases in total white blood cell count and C-reactive protein, along with tests for cardiac biomarkers. These cardiac biomarkers help to determine the extent of myocardial infarction. 4. Coronary angiography. Coronary angiography is the gold standard for diagnosing coronary heart disease. Patients with myocardial infarction need an urgent evaluation to determine the degree of narrowing in the coronary arteries, and if necessary, stent placement treatment should be considered.
Is myocardial infarction class II serious?
New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class II heart function is not severe. Myocardial infarction is a relatively serious type of coronary heart disease, which occurs due to the blockage of the coronary arteries leading to myocardial necrosis, and it carries certain risks. It can ultimately lead to complications such as sudden death and heart failure. At this stage, with Class II heart function, symptoms of heart failure can appear under conditions of significant exertion, including chest tightness, breathlessness, fatigue, and shortness of breath. These symptoms correspond to a relatively less severe stage of heart failure.
Can I eat eggs if I have had a myocardial infarction?
Myocardial infarction is a very serious type of coronary heart disease. An important pathological basis of coronary heart disease is the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries, which eventually rupture, leading to thrombosis that blocks the coronary arteries and causes myocardial infarction. Therefore, arteriosclerosis and hyperlipidemia are its pathological bases, and eggs contain a high amount of cholesterol. Hence, one should not consume eggs in excess. Eating one egg per day should still be acceptable, but consuming a large number of eggs can lead to increased blood lipids, which is harmful for the treatment and prevention of coronary heart disease. It is important to control the amount of eggs consumed, which should not exceed one per day.
The causes of nausea and vomiting in myocardial infarction
During the acute phase of a myocardial infarction, symptoms such as nausea and vomiting often occur, particularly with acute inferior wall myocardial infarction. In the later stages of acute myocardial infarction, including anterior and lateral wall infarctions, patients may experience poor diet, issues with medication, or poor food intake, leading to electrolyte disturbances, which can also result in symptoms of nausea and vomiting. Therefore, nausea and vomiting during myocardial infarction are manifestations of gastrointestinal distress indirectly stimulated by the condition. Additionally, patients with acute right ventricular infarction may experience worsening right heart function, gastrointestinal tract water retention, and edema, which can also lead to nausea, vomiting, and decreased appetite.
Atypical symptoms of myocardial infarction
We say myocardial infarction is a serious heart disease. Common symptoms of myocardial infarction include chest pain. However, some patients with myocardial infarction do not present with chest pain but exhibit other atypical symptoms. For example, some patients present with severe chest tightness and shortness of breath, or acute left heart failure. Others may seek treatment for palpitations or slow heart rate and other arrhythmias. Some exhibit symptoms like toothache or upper abdominal pain, while others may experience dizziness. There are also patients who present with low blood pressure or even go into shock. Therefore, for these patients, it is crucial to perform timely tests like electrocardiograms and troponin levels, and have a specialist make a diagnosis to avoid delays in treatment.
How long does the pain from a myocardial infarction last?
Acute myocardial infarction often develops from angina pectoris. When angina persists for more than 30 minutes, myocardial necrosis begins. After the myocardial necrosis, symptoms similar to those of a burn appear, such as reddening of the myocardium, blistering, and necrosis. Generally speaking, these symptoms last no less than three days. Many people experience significant improvement after three days because the area of myocardial infarction is relatively small. In patients with extensive myocardial infarction, symptoms can last for 7 days or even longer. During this time, patients may also experience respiratory difficulties, recurrent chest pain, and even sudden death. Therefore, the duration of symptoms in myocardial infarction generally ranges from 3 to 7 days. If there is no improvement within this period, the disease might have led to severe complications.
Is vomiting severe in myocardial infarction?
Patients with myocardial infarction often have a history of hypertension, coronary heart disease, and diabetes. They usually experience repeated episodes of angina. After angina, the chest pain persists and cannot be alleviated, often including feelings of chest oppression and pressure. Some patients may also experience nausea, vomiting, and fainting, but most do not have severe vomiting. Some patients, because of inferior wall myocardial infarction or posterior wall myocardial infarction, may develop right ventricular dysfunction, or during the treatment process, due to decreased appetite, may suffer from severe vomiting caused by low potassium and low sodium levels. However, this can generally be corrected through treatment.