Myocardial Infarct (Heart Attack)
Clotting in the arteries is a main cause of myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarct (MI) is occurs when blood flow to heart muscle shuts down. A heart attack or coronary thrombosis are other names used to describe myocardial infarct.
Myocardial infarct is commonly caused by a blood clot that forms and blocks the blood flow to areas of the heart. The blood clots that form are made of the plaque and the fatty buildup within the lining of an artery (atheroma). The buildup of atheroma, the fatty plaque, is the major cause of myocardial infarct.
This buildup clogs and blocks the blood supply. This creates an oxygen shortage, which severely damages the heart and can even cause death.
Myocardial infarct is very common; in fact an MI is more common in men than women up until age 70 when the incidence become equal.
Although heart attacks occur suddenly, the clotting in our arteries happen all the time, and is usually the result of a lifelong build-up. In myocardial infarct, cholesterol buildup in the arteries block off blood flow. Cholesterol, the sticky fat floating around in our bloodstreams, is the building block of dangerous plaque that causes MIs.
Smoking is a major and deadly risk factor for myocardial infarct as it damages the artery lining, promotes blood clotting, and decreases healthy HDL, the healthy and "good" cholesterol in the bloodstream.
Another uncommon reason for myocardial infarct is an embolus, which is a clot that decides to take a trip. A blood clot forms in the body and then moves through the body to the coronary artery, the heart’s own arteries. (Commonly, a clot forms in a person’s legs, particularly if they have sat for long periods of time; then the clot decides to take a trip upward to either the heart or brain. )
A blood thinner is generally prescribed to patients in order to reduce the possibilities of buildup and blockages of clots in the body, in an effort to reduce the risk of a myocardial infarct.