Myocardial infarction, also known as heart attack, coronary thrombosis, or coronary occlusion, is the sudden blockage of one or several coronary arteries. If the blocked artery spreads over a large area, the person may die. Otherwise, there will still be necrosis of the heart tissue and scarring, but other vessels may be able to take over for the damaged areas. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay If an MI is suspected, it is imperative that the patient seek immediate medical attention. An electrocariogram will be performed as well as several blood tests to assess the severity of the attack. The red blood cell sedimentation rate is almost always higher after a myocardial infarction. The biggest threats after a heart attack are arrhythmias and cardiac arrest. Abnormal heart rate and rhythms in a patient after a heart attack often mean that the left ventricle is not pumping properly. Congestive heart failure may pose a threat at this time. Symptoms of a heart attack may appear suddenly, with sharp, intense pain in the chest that may radiate to the left arm and shoulder. Other symptoms may include agitation and confusion; the skin may be cold and clammy, dyspnea, cyanosis, decreased blood pressure, and decreased body temperature. A fast, irregular pulse can also be a sign of a felt MI. In the early 20th century, bed rest was the only thing to do in case of a heart attack. Nitroglycerin was later found to restore coronary circulation and relieve pain. Digitalis has been shown to be effective in treating abnormal heart rhythms and diuretics have been shown to be effective in eliminating water, which reduces hypertension. With these treatments and many others, cardiology became one of the most dramatic fields in medical history (Kenneth, 674). Another big concern for heart patients is preventing a second heart attack. Several tests can be performed to assess a patient's condition. The doctor may want the patient to wear a heart monitor, also called an ambulatory electrocardiograph or Holter monitor. This device graphically records the electrical currents generated by the heart. The purpose of the ambulatory electrocardiograph is to document and describe occurrences of abnormal electrical behavior of the heart. This is done over a period of time during which the patient goes about their normal daily activities. This will help determine whether cardiac dysfunctions occur randomly, spontaneously, while the patient is asleep, or under stress. The doctor may also want to perform other tests such as a cardiac catheterization or coronary arteriogram. A cardiac catheterization is a procedure in which a doctor guides a thin plastic tube through an artery or vein in the arm or leg into the heart and the coronary arteries of the heart. This involves measuring blood pressure and oxygen in the blood. It also provides information about the pumping capacity of the heart muscle. During an arteriogram, an opaque dye is injected into the bloodstream, and then x-rays are taken to see if the arteries are damaged or blocked. The blood pressure of all cardiac patients should be monitored carefully. A blood pressure monitor is the instrument used to measure blood pressure. This test measures the systolic pressure when theheart beat and diastolic pressure when the heart is at rest. Although blood pressure values ​​can vary, a typical value for an adult would be around 130/80. Many doctors focus on preventative medicine, which includes teaching the importance of diet, exercise, and ways to relieve stress. Stress can refer to physical but also mental tension. Much scientific evidence links heart disease risk to psychosocial and environmental factors such as job stress, social isolation, and certain personality traits. Diet is an important factor in preventionheart attacks. Foods low in fat and cholesterol are easily available these days as many people are health conscious. Particular attention should be paid to portion sizes, as most people tend to overeat. Potassium is an important element as well as an electrolyte essential for the growth and maintenance of the body. Some foods high in potassium include bananas, cantaloupe, oranges, and tomato juice. It's best to consult your doctor about a diet if you are at risk for heart problems. Other important nutritional factors to consider are fat, cholesterol and sodium (American Heart Association). A successful exercise program involving frequent physical activity that gets the blood flowing. Walking, jogging, hiking and swimming are all good examples of ways to get your heart in shape and reduce stress. An exercise program should also be discussed with your doctor in case your medical condition presents any limitations. Sometimes diet and exercise are not enough and a doctor may want to start drug treatment. This may take the form of taking vitamins as a dietary supplement or he may prescribe something to help strengthen the contraction of the heart muscle and slow the heart rate. He or she may even wish to prescribe a diuretic to rid the body of excess fluids. This helps take the workload off the heart because there is less fluid to pump throughout the body. In some cases, medications are not enough and more extreme measures must be taken. Coronary artery bypass grafting aims to restore adequate blood flow to the heart muscle in the event of a blockage. During this surgery, a vein is taken from the leg to replace a blockage in an artery near the heart. Although there is some danger, it is a fairly common surgical procedure these days. After bypass surgery, patients are encouraged to get up and walk within the first 24 hours to prevent thrombosis. Arrhythmias are another concern for heart patients. They are caused by a disruption in the normal functioning of the heart's electrical conduction system. Some types of arrhythmias include tachycardias, which are a fast heartbeat, or bradycardia, which is a slow heartbeat. If the heart beats too slowly, damage can be caused to the body's organs due to lack of oxygen. Other types of arrhythmias may include fibrillation, atrial flutter, ventricular tackycardia, or sinus bradycardia. Some of these can be life threatening and will require immediate attention to prevent death of the patient. There are still other conditions that can affect the heart, such as a potentially fatal infection known as bacterial endocarditis. This is an infection and inflammation of the mucous membrane and.