MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION AND ITS TREATMENT

Myocardial infarction, more commonly known as a heart attack is a process which results when blood supply to the heart is reduced or cut off thereby depriving the cardiac muscles of oxygen which ultimately results in their death.



Studies have shown that there are three basic scenarios that can produce heart attack viz; partial or complete blockage of one of the arteries that supply the heart with oxygen, the setting up of an abnormal rhythm that affects cardiac output and development of a weak spot in a blood vessel. Partial or complete blockage of one of the arteries can be caused by a blood clot, formation of plaque as a result of high consumption of rich fatty foods (source of ‘bad’ cholesterol or low density lipoproteins).The narrowing and hardening of the arteries(arteriosclerosis) impede blood flow to the heart and this affects cardiac output. The blockage of the coronary artery result in coronary artery disease. The development of a weak spot in a blood vessel called aneurysm can rupture resulting in internal bleeding and disrupting normal blood flow.



Humans considered to be at greater risk of having a heart attack include; smokers, those who abuse drugs, diabetics, hypertensives, those with hypercholestoremia, high triglyceride levels, those with elevated lactate dehydrogenase, aminotransferases and creatinekinase enzyme levels, and those passing through stress. It is pertinent to note that one-third of all heart attacks occur without warning while the rest are preceded by months or even years of symptoms. Such symptoms include angina pectoris chest pain, intermittent angina, constant sensation of heartburn that persist for days and from which antacids provide no relief.



The following guidelines are necessary for ameliorating and averting heart attack; eat foods rich in dietary fibre, do not eat red meat, highly spiced foods, salt, fried and fatty foods, avoid smoking and alcohol intake, minimize your intake of vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin, and dairy products with high fat content. Drugs such as vassoprin can be used to avert heart attack. Proper management of hypertension and diabetes through the use of drugs such as adomet, captopril, Indapamide, Hydralazine, Clonidine, sulphonylurea and biguanides, monitoring cholesterol/triglyceride levels, levels of marker enzymes such as creatinekinase (CK), Lactate dehydrogenase,(LDH),aminotranferases(AST and ALT) can help to avert heart attack.