Myocardial infarction is an acute and very serious heart disease, caused by blockage of the coronary arteries (plaque formed after atherosclerosis), which interrupts the blood and oxygen supply to the heart muscle, resulting in damage or even necrosis of the myocardium, and reduces the heart's contractile function, leading to heart failure or arrhythmia; in severe cases it can cause coma, shock, or sudden death.
Heart disease ranks among the top three leading causes of death in Taiwan. The mortality rate of myocardial infarction remains high. As Taiwanese diets become more Westernized and modern life becomes more stressful, the incidence of acute myocardial infarction is not only increasing but also showing a trend toward younger patients.
High-Risk Groups
- Men over 50 with a family history of heart disease
- Postmenopausal women, as female hormone levels decline, the incidence of cardiovascular disease increases
- Individuals with hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, or obesity
- People who smoke or lead a sedentary lifestyle
- Those who are easily stressed, fatigued, or emotionally agitated
Treatment Options
- Medication therapy: Using thrombolytic agents is one common method.
- Emergency coronary artery balloon angioplasty: Using a cardiac catheter, a catheter is inserted through the femoral artery in the lower limb or an upper limb artery, guided by a wire to place a balloon catheter at the narrowed segment of the coronary artery, then the balloon is inflated, using pressure to open the blockage, achieving a larger lumen and increasing blood flow.
Common Symptoms
- Left chest pain or tightness
- Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing
- Upper abdominal pain
- Cold sweats
- Pain in the shoulders, neck, upper arms, and jaw
- Angina
- Dizziness and blurred vision
- Nausea and vomiting
Health Care Guidelines
- Regular exercise
- No smoking, control alcohol consumption
- Control body fat: keep body fat percentage within ideal ranges (men below 22%, women below 28%) to avoid adding strain to the heart
- Regular health check-ups: regularly monitor personal health status to achieve disease prevention
- Balanced diet: focus on nutritional balance, eat fewer fried, fast foods and other processed foods high in oil, salt, and sugar; prioritize whole foods
- Regular routine and sufficient sleep
