Myocardial Infarction: Causes and Prevention

(Baonghean.vn) - Myocardial infarction refers to the phenomenon of partial necrosis of the heart muscle due to ischemia that occurs after prolonged blockage in the coronary arteries that nourish that area.

Causes of myocardial infarction:

Common causes:

• Thrombosis in an area of ​​the coronary artery that has been narrowed by atherosclerosis.

• Subintimal hemorrhage in the coronary artery of an atherosclerotic plaque.

• There are cases of myocardial infarction not caused by obvious coronary artery obstruction as shown on contrast film. Scientists explain it by the phenomenon of prolonged coronary artery spasm, or a rapidly dislodged thrombus or a disease of the coronary microcirculation. Sometimes it is due to improper coronary angiography or inaccurate assessment on the film.

Atherosclerotic plaque formation is the leading cause of myocardial infarction.

Rare causes:

• Coronary artery obstruction due to distant embolism (in infective endocarditis, mitral stenosis).

• Narrowing of the coronary artery opening due to a lesion in the aorta (mainly caused by syphilis or atherosclerosis).

• Vasculitis in autoimmune diseases, coronary artery malformations, heart trauma.

Factors that favor the occurrence of myocardial infarction (diseases that make arteriosclerosis more likely to occur):

• Blood pressure disease.

• Surgery.

• Tachycardia, complete arrhythmia.

• Heart valve and myocardial diseases.

• Diabetes.

• Polycythemia.

• Peptic ulcer and biliary tract disease

Disease triggering factors:

• Unusual exertion, strong emotions.

• Chest trauma, shock.

• Sudden rapid heartbeat, heavy bleeding.

• Tobacco abuse.

• Jobs that always cause nervous tension

How to prevent myocardial infarction:

1. Do not smoke

If you don't smoke, don't ever start. Avoiding smoking is the best way to stay healthy and prevent heart attacks, lung cancer, and many other serious diseases.

2. Keep your weight at a healthy level

Weight gain will lead to increased cholesterol levels in the blood, causing many dangerous diseases, especially heart attacks. Therefore, it is very important that you maintain a suitable weight. If you are overweight, have a weight loss program to have a healthy heart, prevent heart attacks and many other diseases.

3. Reasonable diet, reduce fatty foods

Blood fats tend to increase as you age. A diet low in fat and cholesterol can help prevent this process. The following diet can help prevent heart attacks:

- Control the type and amount of food you eat every day.

- You should not eat too much meat, fish and poultry in one day.

- Only 5 - 8 teaspoons of oil or fat used to prepare food in 1 day.

- Try to cook food with little or no fat such as boiling, blanching, and limit fried foods.

- Do not eat animal organs such as liver, brain, kidney, heart...

- You should eat lots of vegetables and fruits.

4. Exercise regularly

Regular exercise can help prevent heart attacks and keep you healthy. Whatever exercise method you choose is necessary and recommended. Try to exercise 3-4 times a week, 30-60 minutes each time.

Especially if you are middle-aged or older and have heart disease or some other medical condition. Before exercising, it is best to consult your doctor.

5. Avoid stress

Stress can damage your heart or increase your risk of many other diseases, so do something about it. Relax a little during work hours, at night, and on your days off. This is a good way to prevent a heart attack.

6. Limit alcohol consumption

Some studies show that moderate alcohol consumption (1-2 drinks/day) can help protect your heart and prevent heart attacks. However, if you drink more, it will harm your body. Drinking too much alcohol can increase blood pressure, increase weight, increase blood triglycerides and can cause heart rhythm disturbances, which can easily lead to heart attacks.

7. Regular health check-ups

Regular health check-ups are important, especially for people with risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or a strong family history of heart attacks.

Khanh Chi

(Synthetic)