What Is a Myocardial Infarction?

Myocardial infarction is a medical term for what is more commonly known as a heart attack. 

A myocardial infarction is defined as the sudden stoppage of the heart due to death or damage to a large part of the heart muscle (which are called the myocardium). This occurs when blood vessels called coronary arteries become blocked by clots or fatty deposits that build up over the years. The coronary arteries bring blood and oxygen to the heart itself. When they become blocked, the heart doesn't get the blood and oxygen it needs to function. Heart muscle begins to die as a myocardial infarction, or heart attack, takes place.

When such blockages occur, the condition is called coronary artery disease (CAD), or more commonly, heart disease. Most often, a myocardial infarction happens to someone who has heart disease but doesn't know it.

Myocardial infarctions sometimes result in death. Survival usually depends on how quickly medical help can arrive and get the heart started again.

Risk factors that lead to a myocardial infarction

While you may not be able to control certain heart disease risk factors, such as family history, there are many things you can do to lower your chances of experiencing a myocardial infarction. Most of them involve lifestyle changes.

Diet and nutrition If you by eat fewer fatty foods or highly processed foods, you can lower your cholesterol levels. High levels of certain types of blood cholesterol can lead to clogged arteries--a major cause of heart attacks. See our article on a healthy heart diet.

Obesity is another prime risk factor for heart disease. When you get more exercise and lose weight, you reduce your risk of ever having a heart attack.

Hypertension or high blood pressure Eating well and exercising can also help lower your blood pressure. People with untreated high blood pressure, which is also known as hypertension, are much more likely to experience a myocardial infarction than someone whose blood pressure is in a normal range.

Smoking There has been a known scientific link between smoking and lung cancer for decades. But there is also mounting evidence that smoking can lead to heart problems that can trigger a myocardial infarction.

Diabetes There's definitely a connection between diabetes and heart disease that leads to a myocardial infarction. People with diabetes are twice as likely to have heart disease or a stroke. Individuals with diabetes also tend to suffer a myocardial infarction at a young age than other people.

These are the most common risk factors for heart disease that lead to a myocardial infarction. It's important to reduce all risk factors as soon as possible, and talk to a medical professional about heart health no matter how many candles were on your last birthday cake.