Knowing the causes of a heart attack as well as its first warning signs is essential for reaching an early diagnosis and avoiding complications that can put a person’s life at risk.
What Is a Heart Attack?
An acute myocardial infarction carries a high mortality rate, making prompt medical attention an urgency. It occurs due to a sudden obstruction of blood flow through a coronary artery.
Typically, a myocardial infarction is caused by the progressive buildup of atheromatous plaque (cholesterol) obstructing the coronary arteries—a condition commonly caused by atherosclerosis. When one of these plaques suddenly ruptures, a small blood clot, known as a thrombus, forms on its surface. The thrombus completely blocks blood flow through the artery, resulting in a lack of blood supply and the subsequent tissue death of a region of the heart.
There are several cardiovascular risk factors that can influence the development of atherosclerosis:
- Diabetes
- Advanced age
- High blood pressure
- Low HDL (decreased "good" cholesterol)
- High LDL (elevated "bad" cholesterol)
- Being male
- Smoking
Additionally, to a lesser extent, myocardial infarctions can occur as a result of coronary artery infections, vasculitis, cocaine use, heart trauma, among other causes.
Diagnosis of an Acute Myocardial Infarction
Generally, the first warning signs of an acute myocardial infarction are detected through pain in the heart region, nausea, sweating, vomiting, general malaise, or paleness. Other symptoms that may present include pain radiating to the jaw, shoulder, or left arm; occasionally, the patient may have felt similar, less intense pain in the days prior.
In a situation where a patient displays symptoms suggestive of an acute myocardial infarction, prioritizing the following tests is essential:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG): A test that detects whether a heart attack is occurring by recording the electrical activity of the heart. It can identify alterations that classify the event as an ST-elevation or non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI or NSTEMI).
- Blood Tests: These reveal an increased concentration of the CPK-MB enzyme and troponin—substances originating from the heart that rise when cardiac cell damage occurs.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): A resting MRI performed in uncertain or borderline cases.
Although heart attacks are not necessarily hereditary, a greater predisposition may exist if a first-degree relative has suffered one.
A healthy diet, regular exercise, maintaining a body weight close to ideal, and avoiding smoking are key measures that help reduce the risk of suffering a heart attack.
AMI Code (Código AMI)
Centro Médico ABC follows a rigorous protocol for heart attack care (AMI Code) to restore blood flow in less than 60 minutes—up to a maximum of 120 minutes—thereby reducing mortality, hospitalization time, and the likelihood of complications. Currently, the international benchmark for care is 76 minutes, representing a 15% faster response time for timely and effective treatment.
Once the patient arrives at the Emergency Department at Centro Médico ABC, a prompt diagnosis is made and treatment is delivered as quickly as possible through the following procedure:
- Performing an electrocardiogram.
- Drawing laboratory samples to test for cardiac enzymes or proteins.
- Placing an intravenous catheter for medications such as nitroglycerin or morphine.
- Administering medications according to medical guidelines to prevent new blood clots from forming.
- Cardiac catheterization to inject dye and identify occlusions or narrowings in the blood vessels.
- Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI): If necessary, a stent placement is performed to open the affected artery. This procedure takes place in the Cath Labs (Hemodynamics Rooms), which are equipped with state-of-the-art technology specifically designed for these interventions.
Following emergency treatment, the patient will be hospitalized for cardiovascular observation and monitoring to evaluate their specific case, taking into account cardiac risk, comorbidities, functional status, and social support. All of this is conducted in the Coronary Care Unit—a floor specifically dedicated to the care of cardiovascular patients and those undergoing cardiac procedures, supported by specialists such as cardiologists and specialized nurses.
At the AMI Code Area at Centro Médico ABC, we provide specialized care. Contact us today!
