Acute myocardial infarction - A scary disease that kills faster than cancer

The article was professionally consulted by Doctor Pham Thanh Van - Cardiovascular Center - Vinmec Times City International General Hospital.

Acute myocardial infarction is one of the leading causes of death in developed countries. In recent years in Vietnam, the number of acute myocardial infarction cases tends to increase, leaving extremely serious consequences.

Acute myocardial infarction occurs when the blood supply to the heart muscle is suddenly cut off, causing damage to heart muscle cells and chest pain. This is the result of a blockage of one or more coronary arteries. The blockage develops mainly due to the long-term accumulation of plaque in the vessel lumen, mainly from fat, cholesterol and some other substances.

Our heart is the main organ in the cardiovascular system. An equally important part is the arterial system. They carry oxygen-rich blood to our body and all our organs.
The coronary artery system delivers oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. When these arteries become blocked or narrowed due to a buildup of plaque, blood flow to the heart is greatly reduced or stopped altogether. When the coronary arteries are narrowed, atherosclerotic, the blood flow to the heart is reduced, which can cause a heart attack. Irreversible lesions begin within 30 minutes of obstruction.
Some factors that can lead to blockages in the coronary arteries are:

Bad cholesterol, also known as low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), is one of the leading causes of blockages in the arteries. Cholesterol is a colorless substance found in the foods we eat and partly produced by our bodies.
Not all cholesterol is bad, but LDL-C can stick to artery walls and create plaque. Atheroma is a hard substance that blocks blood flow in the arteries. When the atherosclerotic plaque ruptures, platelets in the blood pull to the effect of forming blood clots, causing narrowing and blockage of the vessel lumen.

Saturated fat can also contribute to the buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries. Saturated fat is found mainly in meat and dairy products, including beef, butter, and cheese. These fats can lead to clogged arteries by increasing the amount of bad cholesterol in the blood and decreasing the amount of good cholesterol.

Another type of fat that contributes to clogged arteries is trans fat, or hydrogenated fat. Trans fats are often artificially produced and can be found in many processed foods. Trans fats are often listed on food labels as hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils.

Among patients with acute myocardial infarction, 70% of deaths are due to obstruction from atherosclerotic plaques.
Some risk factors for acute myocardial infarction such as:
Smoking Laziness, inactivity High blood pressure, Diabetes, Gout Unhealthy diet, obesity Fat disorder Inherited blood (high cholesterol, triglycerides) In addition, the risk of acute myocardial infarction is also influenced by a number of factors such as:
Age Gender Family history of cardiovascular disease

With the desire to reduce the mortality rate from acute myocardial infarction, it is necessary to recognize the early manifestations of myocardial infarction in order to have timely treatment methods. So what are the symptoms to help us recognize an acute myocardial infarction? Let's find out below. In addition to the typical symptoms of acute myocardial infarction, which are chest pain and shortness of breath, the symptoms appear very diverse, common include the following symptoms:
Heaviness in the chest Pain in the chest chest, back, jaw, and other parts of the upper body that last more than 1 minute or go away and come back Shortness of breath Cold sweats Nausea, vomiting Sudden dizziness or lightheadedness Tachycardia Exercising capacity reduced... It is important to note that not all people with acute myocardial infarction experience the same symptoms and to the same extent. Chest pain is the most common symptom reported in both sexes. When the signs of acute myocardial infarction are detected, it is advisable to go to the hospital as soon as possible for prompt management to reduce mortality.

If you have a need for consultation and examination at Vinmec Health System Hospitals nationwide, please book an appointment on the website for service.