AMI
AMI or Acute Myocardial Infarction is a medical term that refers to the sudden blockage of a coronary artery. This blockage can lead to damage or death of part of the heart muscle, which is known as a heart attack.
Etymology[edit | edit source]
The term "myocardial infarction" is derived from the Greek words "myo" (meaning muscle), "cardia" (meaning heart), and "infarction" (meaning tissue death due to lack of blood supply). The term "acute" is used to indicate the sudden onset of symptoms.
Causes[edit | edit source]
The most common cause of an AMI is the formation of a blood clot in a coronary artery, which can block the blood supply to the heart muscle. This is often due to atherosclerosis, a condition in which fatty deposits build up on the inner walls of the arteries. Other causes can include a spasm of a coronary artery, which can temporarily reduce blood flow to the heart muscle.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
Symptoms of an AMI can vary, but often include chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, and sweating. The pain is often described as a heavy pressure or squeezing sensation, and can radiate to the arms, neck, jaw, or back. Some people may also experience a sense of impending doom.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Diagnosis of an AMI is typically based on the symptoms, electrocardiogram (ECG) findings, and blood tests for cardiac enzymes. An ECG can show changes in the heart's electrical activity that suggest a heart attack. Blood tests can detect increased levels of certain enzymes that are released when heart muscle cells are damaged.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment for an AMI aims to restore blood flow to the heart muscle as quickly as possible. This can be achieved through medications that dissolve blood clots, or through procedures such as angioplasty and stent placement. Medications to manage symptoms and prevent further heart damage are also commonly used.
Prognosis[edit | edit source]
The prognosis for an AMI can vary depending on the extent of the heart damage, the patient's overall health, and the timeliness of treatment. With prompt treatment, many people can survive an AMI and go on to live a productive life. However, some people may experience complications such as heart failure or arrhythmias.
See also[edit | edit source]
| AMI Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
