What is Myocardial Infarction?
Myocardial infarction is the medical name for a heart attack. It is a life-threatening condition that occurs when oxygen rich blood flow to the heart muscle abruptly stops. This is mostly due to blockage in one or more coronary arteries. This blockage is due to plaque, a substance mostly made of cholesterol, calcium and other cellular waste. A heart attack in some cases may be fatal and result in death.
Symptoms of Myocardial Infarction
Tightness or squeezing sensation in the chest
Pain or aching sensation that comes and goes in the chest, back, jaw, and other areas of the upper body
Rapid heart rate
Sweating
Shortness of breath
Dizziness
Anxiety
Nausea and Vomiting
Chest pain is the most common symptom.
What increases the risk of Myocardial Infarction
High cholesterol levels
High triglyceride levels
High blood sugar levels
Stress
Lack of physical activity
Smoking
Obesity
Age
Family history
Test to rule out the risk of Myocardial Infarction
There is a simple exercise test you can do to see if you’re at risk for a heart attack.
First check your resting pulse rate on your wrist or neck (A).
Then do high intensity exercise for one minute and again check your pulse rate(B).
It will be increased.
Then relax for one minute and again check your pulse rate(C).
This is your recovery pulse rate. To calculate how fast your pulse rate comes down
B – C = D
This is the measure of how fast that pulse rate comes down after exercise. If it comes down less than 12 beats you are at risk for a heart attack or myocardial infarction. If your numbers are between 13 to 20 then you are at moderate risk. If the numbers are between 21 to 40 then you have minimum risk. If your recovery numbers between 50 to 60 then you are in top shape like athletes. This is one of the best indicators of for health and cardiovascular function.
The sympathetic nervous system raises your pulse rate when you exercise. As soon as you stop the parasympathetic nervous system kicks in to bring down your pulse rate by relaxation. This system also helps in repairs that the body does when we sleep.
Resting is a part of workouts that we ignore. Short workouts should be done with resting. That will make the system stronger.
