Myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked, preventing oxygen and nutrients from reaching heart muscle tissue. Over time, plaque can build up in the coronary arteries and restrict blood flow, potentially causing a heart attack. Symptoms of a heart attack include chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea and more. Treatment focuses on restoring blood flow through clot-busting drugs or angioplasty to limit heart muscle damage. Lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, eating healthy, and exercise can help prevent heart attacks.

1. Number One Killer Of Both Men And Women In The US Each Year Myocardial Infarction Grace Kirchgessner

2. Myocardial Infarction(mi″o-kahr´de-al in-fahrk´shun)ABBR: MI Myocardial Infarction is commonly known as a heart attack. "Myo" means muscle, "cardial" pertains to the heart, and "infarction" means death of tissue due to lack of blood supply. The heart, like any organ, requires blood for oxygen and other nutrients so it can do its work. The heart does not gather oxygen or nutrients from the blood flowing inside it. Instead, it receives blood from coronary arteries that eventually carry blood into the heart muscle. A heart attack occurs when blood vessels that supply blood to the heart are blocked, preventing enough oxygen from getting to the heart. The heart muscle then dies or becomes permanently damaged. Dead Muscle

3. Coronary Arteries Coronary arteries run along the surface of the heart. These vessels supply oxygen-rich blood and nutrients to the heart. Over time, fatty deposits can build up in blood vessel walls (atherosclerosis). Plaque can cause hardening of the arterial walls and narrowing of the inner channel, as a result, restricting blood flow. A heart attack may occur if not enough oxygen-containing blood can flow through this blockage. This is more likely to happen when you are exercising. The plaque itself develops cracks or tears. Blood platelets stick to these tears and form a blood clot (thrombus). A heart attack can occur if this blood clot completely blocks the passage of oxygen-rich blood to the heart. This is the most common cause.

4. A Look Inside Myocardial Infarction

6. Nitroglycerin to reduce your heart's workload and improveblood flow through the coronary arteries

7. Treatment for chest pain

8. Oxygen TherapyThe two main treatments are "clot-busting" medicines and angioplasty, a procedure used to open blocked coronary arteries. In severe cases, coronary artery bypass surgerymay be necessary. Although, not your typical treatment Niacin (Vitamin B3) is highly effective at increasing your HDL (good cholesterol) and lowering your LDL (bad cholesterol). It has been used for years and clinical studies have shown great results. Niacin is a proven treatment for many things such as, the cardiovascular system, blood pressure, blood sugar, circulation, diabetes, nervous system, arthritis, depression, anxiety, the digestive system, and much more.

9. Angioplasty

11. Bad indigestion

12. Something heavy sitting on your chest

13. Squeezing or heavy pressure

15. Cough

16. Fainting

17. Light-headedness, dizziness

18. Nausea or vomiting

19. Palpitations (feeling like your heart is beating too fast or irregularly)

20. Shortness of breath

21. Sweating, which may be extremeSome people (the elderly, people with diabetes, and women) may have little or no chest pain. Or, they may experience unusual symptoms (shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness). A "silent heart attack" is a heart attack with no symptoms (ischemia).

22. How To Prevent A MI To prevent a heart attack: Keep your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol under control. Don't smoke. Consider drinking 1 to 2 glasses of alcohol or wine each day. Moderate amounts of alcohol mayreduce your risk of cardiovascular problems. However, drinking larger amounts does more harm than good. Eat a low-fat diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in animal fat. Eat fish twice a week. Baked or grilled fish is better than fried fish. Frying can destroy some of the health benefits. Exercise daily or several times a week. Walking is a good form of exercise. Talk to your doctor before starting an exercise routine. Lose weight if you are overweight.

23. Singer, Natasha (2009). Study Raises Questions About Cholesterol Drug’s Benefit. NY Times: retrieved April 16, 2011, from http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/nutrition/niacin/overview.html (N/A) (2010). PubMed Health: retrieved April 15, 2011, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001246/ (N/A) (2009). Medicine Net: retrieved April 15, 2011, from http://www.emedicinehealth.com/heart_attack/article_em.htm Prescott, James (2011). James Prescott: retrieved April 15, 2011, from http://jamesprescott.co.uk/blog/ (N/A) (2010). Medical Symptoms: retrieved April 15, 2011, from http://www.medicalsymptomsguide.com/silent-heart-attack-symptoms.html WWETRIBUTEful. (2009) How Heart Attack Happens: retrieved April 14, 2011, from http://www.youtube.com/user/WWETRIBUTEful Venes, Donald, M.D., M.S.J. (2009) Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary (Edition 21, pp. 1526-1527.) Philadelphia, PA: Cyclopedic Medial Dictionary Work Cited