Myocardial Infarction

Key facts

• A myocardial infarction (heart attack) happens when a coronary artery becomes blocked, cutting off oxygen to part of the heart muscle; without blood flow, muscle cells start to die within minutes.
• Classic symptoms are central chest pain or pressure spreading to the arm, jaw, or back, plus breathlessness, sweating, nausea, and light-headedness; women and people with diabetes more often have atypical signs such as fatigue or indigestion-like discomfort.
• Recovery relies on a combination of medicines: a beta-blocker such as metoprolol, an ACE inhibitor such as lisinopril, an antiplatelet such as clopidogrel, and, when heart failure is also present, eplerenone.
• Any sudden, unexplained chest pain is a medical emergency: get help immediately rather than waiting to see if it passes.

Recognising the warning signs

Classic symptoms include central chest pain or pressure that can spread to the left arm, jaw, or back, along with shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, and light-headedness. Women and people with diabetes more often present with atypical signs, fatigue, mild discomfort, or an indigestion-like feeling, which can delay recognition and treatment. Any sudden, unexplained chest pain warrants emergency care immediately; don't wait to see whether it resolves on its own.

Medicines used in recovery

Surviving a heart attack is only the first step. Long-term treatment focuses on protecting the heart, preventing further clots, and reducing the strain on damaged muscle. A beta-blocker such as metoprolol slows the heart rate and lowers blood pressure, easing the workload on recovering tissue. An ACE inhibitor like lisinopril helps limit the scarring and structural changes the heart goes through after injury. Antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel stops platelets from clumping together and blocking the repaired vessel again. Where heart failure or fluid retention is also present, eplerenone, a mineralocorticoid receptor blocker, cuts the risk of a second cardiac event. These medicines are typically combined and continued for months or years; the full heart and blood pressure range covers related options.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.