ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

SUMMARY
Every one of us can be candidate of having myocardial infarction, even though you think youre active and healthy, still find a way to be more aware of your condition. Just in this case, Deborah Daw Heffernan was a very active woman. She has a slender type of body size, had low BP, low cholesterol, not a cigarette smoker and had no history of any heart diseases. Then here comes a severe attack that almost kills her life Indeed, she had been suffering of a heart attack. On that day when he had an attack, she suffered from chest tightness so painful that she turned pale afterwards. Then she called for help. It was indeed a serious case; her left anterior descending artery was been affected mostly. There is no enough oxygen in the left part of her heart leading to improper blood circulation causing a difficulty to nourish all the body parts. After that, she was then transferred to another hospital for further management. She was going to have a heart bypass surgery; luckily it went well however she had developed ventricular tachycardia wherein the heart beats so quickly that it is unable to adequately pump blood throughout the body. Her only option in order for her heart to have a normal rhythm was to have an automatic implantable cardiac defibrillator or an ICD inserted beneath her skin and attached to her heart with wires.

Reference:http://www.hrspatients.org/patients/patient_stories/d_heffernan.asp

REACTION
When we are talking about, Myocardial infarction, it is now considered part of a spectrum referred to as acute coronary syndromes, which refers to a range of acute myocardial ischemia that also includes unstable angina and non - ST segment elevation myocardial infarction. The new criteria for diagnosing myocardial infarction are an increase in biochemical markers of myocardial necrosis, with at least one of the following: Ischemic symptoms; Development of pathological Q waves on the ECG; ECG changes indicative of ischemia (ST segment elevation or depression); and Coronary artery intervention (e.g. angioplasty). Chest pain and shortness of breath are the most common symptoms. Based on the patients story, it emphasized that even though how healthy you think you are, still you can be possibly afflicted with this kind of condition. We should be aware that this kind of disease has predisposing and precipitating factors that aggravate the disease process. Let us become aware that acute myocardial infarction or more commonly known as a heart attack is a medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to a part of the heart is interrupted. The resulting ischemia or oxygen shortage causes damage and potential death of heart tissue. It is a medical emergency, and the leading cause of death for both men and women all over the world. Important risk factors are a previous history of vascular disease such as atherosclerotic coronary heart disease and / or angina, a previous heart attack or stroke, any previous episodes of abnormal heart rhythms or syncope, older age - especially men over 40 and women over 50, smoking alcohol consumption, the abuse of certain illicit drugs, high triglyceride levels, high LDL (Low-

density lipoprotein) and low HDL (High density lipoprotein), diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and chronically high levels of stress in certain persons. Let us be guided that this condition is very serious for it affects one of the most vital organs of our body, our heart and also, it encompasses a wide range of illnesses related to heart problems, meaning we can have other diseases in a time. All I can say with regards to the patient is, I do believe that she was responsible on taking care of herself. Despite of being afflicted with heart attack, still she asked for medical help promptly she fight for her illness. I do appreciate her sense of being a strong person although she was a woman still she woman still she wasnt afraid to fight with her condition. If all patients would be like her, then they will overcome the trials they had been experiencing. Why I say so? Its because I believed that if there is something wrong that you had felt and you had asked medical attention right away, you do have a great probability of getting well with your disease or illness. It is of great advantage on your part for you discovered you disease earlier, then you will be going to have interventions for the said disease making your condition not to become even worst. One important thing that I wanted to recommend is that be a responsible individual. Be responsible in taking good care of your body. Eat nutritious foods, exercise regularly, Be responsible in taking good care of your body. Eat nutritious foods, exercise regularly, have time to rest in general, have a healthy lifestyle! Do have a check up so that you are aware of your condition and if there are unsualities report immediately to your doctor so that you will be given prompt intervention. May we keep this in mind as long as we live