Student study notes from paramedic coursework (2023 to 2024), not medical advice. Verify clinical values against current references and your local protocols.
| EMS etiologies | Setting: ER |
Myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle is reduced or blocked, typically due to the rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque in the coronary arteries. This blockage leads to ischemia and subsequent tissue death (infarction) of the heart muscle. The most common risk factors for MI include coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, obesity, poor diet, high cholesterol, and excessive alcohol consumption.
MI typically presents with chest pain that may radiate to the left arm, jaw, or shoulder, and is often accompanied by shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, and fatigue. Some patients, particularly women and the elderly, may experience atypical symptoms, such as neck pain, fatigue, or no symptoms at all. Complications of MI include heart failure, arrhythmias, cardiogenic shock, and cardiac arrest.
Diagnosis of MI is confirmed through electrocardiograms (ECG), blood tests (troponin levels), and coronary angiography. Treatment is time-sensitive and includes aspirin, reperfusion therapy (PCI or thrombolysis for STEMI), and blood thinners. Long-term management typically involves lifestyle changes and medications like beta blockers, aspirin, and statins.