Myocardial Infarction at 40x Magnification
Being able to recognize the signs that someone is experiencing a myocardial infarction is important for making sure appropriate care is provided in a timely manner. Patients have a very high survival rate if they are admitted to a hospital, but hundreds of thousands of Americans die each year from heart attacks before the ever reach a medical center. The most common symptoms of myocardial infarction include chest pain or pressure that may radiate into the jaw, shoulders, arms, or back, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, quickened pulse, lightheadedness, sweating, and anxiety. The severity of such indicators can vary significantly depending upon the extent of heart tissue affected. Some individuals may experience such mild symptoms that they do not realize that anything serious is wrong, resulting in what is often called a silent heart attack.