Myocardial infarction is more common in autumn and winter, so don’t take it lightly!

Myocardial infarction is a serious cardiovascular disease that is prevalent in autumn and winter. It is like a demon, a "cold-blooded killer" that takes the lives of middle-aged and elderly people. So, how can we correctly identify and prevent myocardial infarction?

How does myocardial infarction occur?

The main cause of acute myocardial infarction is coronary atherosclerosis. The gradually produced plaques suddenly rupture to form blood clots, completely blocking the arteries and causing blood flow interruption.

What are the symptoms of myocardial infarction?

(1) Typical symptoms

The most typical and common symptoms of myocardial infarction are: precordial pain, accompanied by sweating, pale complexion, nausea, vomiting and a feeling of impending death.

It should be noted that chest pain caused by myocardial infarction usually comes in waves, that is, it hurts for half an hour, then eases for a while, and then the pain continues, over and over again. Therefore, don't think it's okay just because it doesn't hurt temporarily.

(2) Atypical symptoms

In addition to chest pain, the most typical symptom, a small number of myocardial infarction patients do not experience chest pain, but other "strange" symptoms. For example: migraine, jaw pain, neck pain, throat pain, upper abdominal pain, back pain, etc. If you are a high-risk group for myocardial infarction, you must be careful when the above symptoms appear for no reason.

People at high risk of myocardial infarction

(1) People with “three highs”

Dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes are considered to be high-risk factors for coronary heart disease. Patients with these underlying diseases should pay more attention to preventing myocardial infarction.

(2) People who smoke for a long time

Long-term smoking is a risk factor for coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction, and will greatly increase the risk of myocardial infarction.

(3) People who are extremely obese

Studies have shown that obese people often have metabolic syndrome and their risk of heart disease is 3.7 times higher than normal people.

What are the common medications used to treat myocardial infarction?

(1) Antiplatelet drugs

The purpose of using this type of drug is to prevent thrombosis. Acute myocardial infarction is caused by the rupture of plaques in the coronary arteries, which leads to the formation of thrombi and blockage of coronary vessels. The purpose of long-term use of this type of drug is to prevent recurrence of thrombosis.

Representative drugs include : aspirin, clopidogrel, ticagrelor, etc.

Yaowa Reminder : Currently, most diagnostic and treatment guidelines recommend that after acute myocardial infarction, aspirin should be taken in combination with clopidogrel or ticagrelor for 1 year, and then aspirin should be taken long-term, regardless of whether a coronary stent is implanted.

(2) Lipid-lowering drugs

This type of drug is used to regulate blood cholesterol levels. There is a type of cholesterol in the human body called low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. A large number of studies have confirmed that excessive increase in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is the main factor causing coronary artery stenosis. Further aggravation of stenosis will cause vascular occlusion, and then thrombosis and myocardial infarction. Therefore, reasonable regulation of blood cholesterol levels can effectively treat and prevent the recurrence of myocardial infarction.

Representative drugs include : atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, etc.

Yaowa reminds : Patients with acute myocardial infarction should use statins early to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.

(3) Beta-blockers

This type of drug reduces myocardial oxygen consumption, resists myocardial ischemia, resists arrhythmia, inhibits ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction, and improves cardiac function by slowing down the heart rate. For patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction, it is recommended to use it as early as possible.

Representative drugs : metoprolol, bisoprolol.

Yaowa reminds : When the patient has bronchial asthma, blood pressure lower than 90/60 mmHg, and heart rate lower than 60 beats/minute, use this type of drug with caution.

(4) Nitrate drugs

These drugs relieve angina by dilating the coronary arteries.

Representative drugs : isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, nitroglycerin.

Yaowa reminds : Patients who use nitrates for the first time are very likely to experience excessive vasodilation and headaches. If the headache is tolerable, you still need to continue taking the medication. In addition, continuous use of this type of medication for more than 12 hours can lead to drug resistance, so it is recommended to reserve a 12-hour medication-free period every day.

(5) Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB)

This type of drug plays an important role in improving myocardial remodeling, reducing mortality and the incidence of heart failure.

Representative drugs : captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, benazepril, ramipril, perindopril, etc.

Yaowa reminds : A common side effect of ACEI drugs is dry cough. When dry cough is caused and cannot be tolerated, ARB drugs with similar pharmacological effects can be selected as substitutes. During medication, blood pressure changes need to be monitored. If blood pressure is lower than 90/60 mmHg, it should be discontinued.

To prevent myocardial infarction in autumn and winter, you should keep warm, keep a regular schedule, exercise moderately, eat a light and healthy diet, and avoid high-calorie, high-fat foods. Blood pressure, blood lipids, and blood sugar are prone to fluctuations in autumn and winter. Patients should insist on taking medication, strengthen monitoring, have regular follow-up visits, and adjust medication in a timely manner.