Myocardial infarction. In the normal state, the heart pumps blood throughout the body, by making 60-80 beats per minute, thereby ensuring the flow of blood to all organs. In addition, the heart also has its own nutrition system. The aorta, leaving the heart muscle, branches and forms coronary arteries, which nourish the heart. Thus, any constriction or obstruction in these vessels leads to a disruption of the normal functioning of the heart. Depending on the level of constriction, this ailment can manifest itself in different types. In some cases, coronary vessels are clogged with cholesterol plaques ("PLAK"), causing an acute disturbance of the heart's nutrition in the appropriate area - or, following medical terminology, myocardial infarction. An infarct is a rather serious phenomenon, which (without treatment) often leads to complications and even death.

What are the main symptoms of myocardial infarction?

Worldwide, myocardial infarction is considered as the most common cause of death. The primary symptoms of an infarction are:

• Prolonged (more than a few seconds) pain in the chest, a feeling of constriction, in some cases - back pain;
  
• Pain in the shoulder and arm area (especially on the left side), pain in the jaw area;
  
• Dizziness, nausea, cold sweat, accompanied by pain in the chest.
  

If you suspect that you have had a heart attack ...

First of all, call the nearest person standing next to you. Call the ambulance. If you are alone, and do not ask for help, leave the doors open. Lie on your back (assuming that the upper part of your body will be upward-looking), and if possible, raise your legs. It is forbidden to be in an upright position, and also - take a shower to alleviate pain, or exercise. It will be useful to cough, holding your nose. If available, take an aspirin tablet. It is important to be maximally immobilized, so that the blood is scarcely supplied to other organs and the overstrain of the heart is being prevented.

The most important task that arises in case of a heart attack is the restoration of cardiac output by eliminating a thrombus that caused a blockage of the vessel. For this, special drugs are used that eliminate blood clots. If patient gets well after taking the drug, he is placed in an invasive cardiac center. If, on the contrary, this type of anti-thrombotic treatment does not yield results, the patient should be taken to the nearest invasive center. The faster the invasive intervention is performed, the better the situation will turn. Practice shows that prompt and timely intervention in the clotting of coronary vessels with a thrombus saves a patient's life. In this regard, our center operates a 24-hour emergency cardiac care service.