Myocardial Infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow to the coronary arteries of the heart is reduced or stopped, damaging the heart muscle. The most common symptoms are chest pain and discomfort that can spread to the shoulders, arms, back, neck, or chin. It often occurs in the centre or left side of the chest and lasts for more than a few minutes. Symptoms may feel like heartburn. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, nausea, fainting, cold sweats, and malaise. About 30% of people have atypical symptoms. Women do not have chest pain and instead tend to experience neck pain, arm pain, or tiredness. Approximately 5% of patients over the age of 75 had MI and had little or no history of symptoms. MI can cause heart failure, arrhythmias, cardiogenic shock, or cardiac arrest. Most heart attacks are caused by coronary artery disease. Risk factors include high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, lack of exercise, obesity, high blood cholesterol, poor diet, and excessive alcohol intake. Complete occlusion of the coronary arteries caused by the rupture of atherosclerotic plaques is usually the underlying mechanism of MI. Heart attacks are less likely to be caused by coronary spasms due to cocaine, severe emotional stress (commonly known as Takotsubo syndrome or broken heart syndrome), and extreme cold. Many tests, such as Electro Cardio Gram (ECG), blood tests, and coronary angiography, can help with diagnosis. EKG, a record of electrical activity in the heart, can confirm ST Elevation MI (STEMI) in the presence of ST elevation. Commonly used blood tests include troponin and, less commonly, creatine kinase MB. Of course, our heart is really strong and very tolerant. But when there is a problem, it becomes the weakest part of your body. Therefore, we should be more vigilant about heart problems, be aware of the symptoms, understand the consequences of eliminating potentially harmful factors, and have immediate access to treatment options.

Journal of Thrombosis and Circulation is an Open Access and peer reviewed journal that publishes studies related to blood circulation and thrombosis.

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