Myocardial infarction (MI; Latin: infarctus myocardii) or acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the medical term for an event commonly known as a heart attack. An MI occurs when blood stops flowing properly to a part of the heart, and the heart muscle is injured because it is not receiving enough oxygen. Usually this is because one of the coronary arteries that supplies blood to the heart develops a blockage due to an unstable buildupof white blood cells, cholesterol and fat. The event is called "acute" if it is sudden and serious. Myocardial infarction differs from cardiac arrest, although cardiac arrest can be a consequence of MI.
A person having an acute MI usually has sudden chest pain that is felt behind the sternum and sometimes travels to the left arm or the left side of the neck. Additionally, the person may have shortness of breath,sweating, nausea, vomiting, abnormal heartbeats, and anxiety. Women experience fewer of these symptoms than men, but usually have shortness of breath, weakness, a feeling of indigestion, and fatigue.[1] In many cases, in some estimates as high as 64%, the person does not have chest pain or other symptoms.[2] These are called "silent" myocardial infarctions. click here to see the slides
A person having an acute MI usually has sudden chest pain that is felt behind the sternum and sometimes travels to the left arm or the left side of the neck. Additionally, the person may have shortness of breath,sweating, nausea, vomiting, abnormal heartbeats, and anxiety. Women experience fewer of these symptoms than men, but usually have shortness of breath, weakness, a feeling of indigestion, and fatigue.[1] In many cases, in some estimates as high as 64%, the person does not have chest pain or other symptoms.[2] These are called "silent" myocardial infarctions. click here to see the slides
