Acute myocardial infarction
It is characterized by the same nature of pain as with angina pectoris, but the pain is much more intense, often occurs at rest, and usually lasts for several hours. Often, myocardial infarction is preceded by a more or less long period of deterioration in the course of angina pectoris – pains are provoked by less load, become more intense and prolonged. This condition is called unstable angina.
The main method for diagnosing a heart attack is an electrocardiogram. In addition, blood tests for troponin and creatine phosphokinase are used in hospitals. Identified myocardial infarction is an indication for urgent hospitalization. With timely stenting, it is possible to avoid the development of heart failure.
