Summary
- Presents with central chest pain that is classically heavy in nature, like a sensation of pressure or squeezing. Examination is variable, and findings range from normal to a critically unwell patient in cardiogenic shock.
- ST-elevation MI (STEMI) is suspected when a patient presents with persistent ST-segment elevation in 2 or more anatomically contiguous ECG leads in the context of a consistent clinical history.
- CK-MB and cardiac-specific troponins confirm diagnosis. Treatment should, however, be started immediately in patients with a typical history and ECG changes, without waiting for laboratory results.
- Immediate and prompt revascularisation can prevent or decrease myocardial damage and decrease morbidity and mortality.
- About a quarter of patients in the US who have an acute MI will die of it, half within 1 hour of the onset of symptoms.
- Survivors of acute MI should be closely followed up for adequate modification of risk factors and development of complications.
Other related conditions
- Atrioventricular block
- Bradycardia
- Cardiac tamponade
- Chronic renal failure
- Cocaine abuse
- Cocaine overdose
- Hypertriglyceridaemia
- Mitral regurgitation
- Non-sustained ventricular tachycardias
- Obesity in adults
- Overview of diabetes
- Overview of pneumonia
- Stable ischaemic heart disease
- Sustained ventricular tachycardias
- Ventricular septal defects
- Acute exacerbation of congestive heart failure
- Overview of acute coronary syndrome
- Stable ischaemic heart disease
- Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction
- Unstable angina
- Diabetic cardiovascular disease
- Assessment of chest pain
- Essential hypertension
- Hypercholesterolaemia
- Sustained ventricular tachycardias
- Pulmonary embolism
- Aortic dissection
- Pneumothorax
- Pericarditis
- Myocarditis
- Smoking cessation
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
- Costochondritis
Last updated: Apr 22, 2013
