Myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, refers to the ischemic necrosis of heart muscle.
Myocardial infarction is a relatively common condition worldwide. With improvements in living standards and the aging population, the incidence of myocardial infarction has been rising annually in China. Each year, at least 500,000 new cases are reported, with an estimated 2 million existing patients currently living with the condition.
Winter is particularly a high-risk season for myocardial infarction (heart attack) . Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself from this disease that affects at least 500,000 new patients annually:
Which patients are at high risk for heart attack?
Obese people need to "pay attention" : with the increase of weight, the heart needs to bear a greater load, and long-term high load operation greatly increases the risk of myocardial ischemia. In particular, the risk of myocardial infarction in abdominal obese people is significantly increased.
Individuals with the "three highs"—hypertension (high blood pressure), hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), and hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol)—should be particularly cautious. Long-term exposure to these conditions can significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarction (heart attack). Long-term hypertension and hyperglycemia can easily damage the vascular endothelium, which is the inner lining of blood vessels. This damage marks the initial stage of atherosclerosis, a condition characterized by the buildup of plaque in the arteries. When the vascular endothelium is damaged,excess lipids in the bloodstream can deposit into the injured areas. These lipids penetrate the damaged endothelium and accumulate, forming atherosclerotic plaques. Over time, these plaques grow larger. If an atherosclerotic plaque ruptures, it can trigger the formation of a blood clot (thrombus) at the site of the rupture. This clot can block the artery completely, leading to a heart attack.
Smokers should be particularly vigilant about their heart health. A study conducted in China analyzed nearly 3,000 cases of myocardial infarction (heart attack) in individuals aged 18 to 44 and found that smoking is the leading modifiable risk factor for heart attacks in this age group, accounting for a staggering 72.7% of cases .Smoking can cause vascular endothelial damage, accelerate the process of atherosclerosis, increase the carbon monoxide content in the blood, reduce the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood, and increase the burden of the heart.
Coronary heart disease (CHD) has a genetic component and tends to cluster within families. However, it's important to note that the risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack) is not solely determined by genetics. By controlling modifiable risk factors, the incidence and mortality rates of myocardial infarction can be significantly reduced.
People who are consistently under high stress, such as those with demanding jobs or fast-paced lifestyles, are at increased risk for myocardial infarction (heart attack). Prolonged exposure to high-pressure situations can lead to a surge in adrenaline (epinephrine), which can induce myocardial ischemia and increase the risk of heart attacks.
