Acute cardiac ischemia

Ischemic heart disease (acute form) is a condition characterized by dysfunction of the myocardium due to a decrease in blood flow through the coronary arteries. The acute form of the disease is most often provoked by physical activity or a stressful situation, when the heart requires more blood flow. IHD is one of the most common causes of death in all countries of the world.

It is an extremely life-threatening condition. Requires immediate medical attention.

General characteristics of the pathology

Ischemic heart disease (CHD) is a pathological condition caused by a lack of oxygen in myocardial cells.

The development of the disease occurs as follows:

1. Cholesterol particles accumulate on the walls of the coronary vessels.
2. Atherosclerotic plaques narrow the arteries and block the flow of blood.
3. A decrease in blood volume reduces the amount of oxygen supplied to the heart muscle.

This condition is called acute myocardial infarction.

The chronic form may be asymptomatic, but the electrocardiogram (ECG) shows signs of heart damage. The acute form of the disease is accompanied by shortness of breath, pale lips, tachycardia and severe pain in the left hypochondrium.

Signs of acute coronary heart disease

Myocardial infarction as a form of acute coronary heart disease is an extremely life-threatening condition. Occurs when there is a sudden cessation of blood flow to the heart, causing damage to the heart tissue. This is usually the result of a blockage in one or more of the coronary arteries. Pathology can develop due to the accumulation of a substance consisting mainly of fat cells, cholesterol and cellular waste products.

The most common signs include:

• pressure or spasm in the left hypochondrium;
• pain in the chest, back, jaw and other areas of the upper body that does not stop or goes away and then comes back;
• labored breathing;
• excessive sweating;
• nausea;
• urge to vomit;
• anxiety;
• cough;
• dizziness;
• fast heart rate.

It should be noted that not all people with myocardial infarction experience similar symptoms. Chest pain is the most common symptom among women and men.

Medical statistics show that women are more likely than men to experience:

• difficulty breathing (tachypnea or shortness of breath);
• soreness in the jaw;
• pain in the upper back;
• blurred consciousness;
• nausea;
• vomiting.

Some women experience flu-like symptoms, but ECG results show signs of heart disease.

What causes acute coronary heart disease

The heart is the main organ of the body's cardiovascular system, which also includes various types of blood vessels. The most important of these are the coronary arteries. Their function is to deliver oxygen-rich blood to all organs of the body, including the heart.

This can cause myocardial infarction.

The following factors lead to blockage of the coronary arteries:

• Bad cholesterol, also called low-density lipoprotein (LDL), is one of the main causes of blockages in the arteries. Cholesterol is a colorless substance found in human food. The body also produces it naturally. Not all cholesterol is bad, but certain forms of it can stick to artery walls and form plaque. They block blood flow in the arteries.
• Saturated fats may also contribute to plaque buildup in the coronary arteries. Substances are found in meat and dairy products (beef, butter and cheese). These fats can lead to arterial blockage by increasing the amount of bad cholesterol in the circulatory system and decreasing the amount of good cholesterol.
• Another type of fat that contributes to clogged arteries is trans fats, or hydrogenated fats. These are usually artificial substances found in various processed foods. Displayed on labels as hydrogenated oil or partially hydrogenated oil.

Risk factors for the development of acute coronary heart disease

A number of factors increase the risk of developing myocardial infarction.

People with the following diseases are at risk:

1. Increased blood pressure. The higher the pressure, the greater the risk of developing heart problems. Hypertension contributes to damage to the arteries and accelerates the formation of cholesterol plaques.
2. High levels of bad cholesterol in the blood increase the risk of acute myocardial infarction. You can improve the situation by changing your diet or by taking certain medications called statins.
3. High levels of triglycerides in the blood also increase the risk of a heart attack. Triglycerides are a type of fatty lipid that clog arteries. A person receives them from food, they accumulate in fat cells. Some of them may remain in the arteries and contribute to the accumulation of plaque on the walls of the arteries.
4. Diabetes. High blood sugar levels lead to damage to large blood vessels and eventually to coronary disease. This is a serious condition that requires constant monitoring and treatment.
5. The chances of a heart attack are higher in people who are overweight.
6. Smoking tobacco products increases the risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular diseases.
7. Age is also a factor influencing the development of pathology. Men are at higher risk after age 45 and women after age 55.
8. People with a "family history" of heart disease are more likely to get sick. The risk is especially high if there are male family members diagnosed with heart disease before the age of 55.

Other factors that may increase the risk of myocardial infarction include:

• stress;
• lack of exercise;
• use of certain illicit drugs, especially cocaine and amphetamines;
• preeclampsia.

Diagnosis of the disease

In order to determine myocardial infarction, the doctor listens to the heart for abnormalities in the heartbeat. The next step is to measure your blood pressure. An electrocardiogram (ECG) measures the electrical activity of the heart.

The test shows how fast the heart beats and its rhythm (constant or irregular). An ECG also records the strength and timing of electrical signals as they travel through the heart.

The ECG is used to:

• Assess heart rate.
• Diagnose poor blood flow to the heart muscle (ischemia).
• Diagnose a heart attack.
• Assess for cardiac abnormalities such as an enlarged heart.

An ECG can show signs of heart damage due to coronary artery disease and signs of a previous or current heart attack.

To diagnose problems in the work of the heart, functional ECG is performed using physical activity and drugs. An ECG is done while the patient is running on a treadmill or exercise bike. These tests help identify signs of coronary insufficiency and distinguish them from non-coronary changes.

Avoid using greasy creams or lotions before an ECG to improve electrode contact with the skin and obtain a correct test result.

Blood tests are used to check for proteins that are associated with heart damage.

Other diagnostic tests include:

• a stress test to see how the heart reacts to certain situations (such as exercise)
• an angiogram with coronary angiography looks for areas of blockage in the arteries;
• echocardiography helps to identify poorly functioning areas of the heart.

Compliance with preventive measures (physical activity, a healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition) and the implementation of all doctor's prescriptions will help to avoid this condition.