Myocardial infarction, the most serious form of cardiovascular disease, is often described as a sudden health threat, but it is not. In many cases, myocardial infarction does not occur suddenly, but there are some abnormal signals in the body in the early stage of the disease, and these signals, if recognized and treated in time, may help prevent or even reduce the occurrence and impact of myocardial infarction. Understanding these pre-onset anomalies is crucial for everyone. This article will delve into several abnormal manifestations in the early stages of myocardial infarction to help readers better understand and be alert to this health threat.
Chest pain and discomfort
The nature and location of chest pain
One of the most typical symptoms of myocardial infarction is chest pain, which is often described as a severe, persistent, or pressing sensation. Chest pain is usually located behind the sternum or on the left side of the chest, and sometimes it may radiate to the left arm, neck, or jaw. Unlike normal muscle or neuropathic pain, chest pain caused by myocardial infarction is often unaffected by activity or rest and may occur even at night. If this pain persists for more than a few minutes or is accompanied by other symptoms such as shortness of breath, cold sweats, etc., you should seek medical attention immediately.
Atypical presentation of chest pain
Some patients with myocardial infarction may present with more atypical manifestations of chest pain, including a dull sensation in the chest, discomfort, or mild discomfort. These symptoms may be misinterpreted as stomach problems or other causes, delaying treatment. Therefore, when there is any unexplained chest discomfort or pain, especially when accompanied by other underlying cardiovascular symptoms, it should be taken seriously and promptly examined.
Relationship between chest pain and physical activity
The relationship between chest pain and physical activity is also one of the important indicators to determine whether myocardial infarction is present. Chest pain caused by myocardial infarction is usually worse with exercise or emotional agitation, and may lessen or disappear with rest or calming down. This activity-related change in chest pain, which differs from that of muscular or neuropathic pain in general, reflects the severe impact of myocardial infarction on the blood supply to the heart.
Difficulty breathing and shortness of breath
Sudden difficulty breathing
Myocardial infarction can cause the heart to pump blood to decrease, which in turn affects the oxygen supply to body tissues and organs. When myocardial infarction severely affects heart function, patients may suddenly develop symptoms of shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. This dyspnea is often not affected by rest or repositioning, is not related to physical activity, and is characterized by shortness of breath or an inability to breathe steadily. Dyspnea is related to the severity of myocardial infarction and is one of the important signals for patients to seek medical attention in time.
Chronic shortness of breath
In addition to sudden dyspnea, a more chronic shortness of breath may occur in the early stages of myocardial infarction. People may feel the need for more breaths or shortness of breath during their usual daily activities, especially when performing light activities, such as walking or climbing stairs. This chronic shortness of breath is often misinterpreted as a sign of gradual loss of energy or other medical conditions, but if it is accompanied by other cardiovascular symptoms, such as chest pain or irregular heartbeat, further testing should be done to rule out the possibility of myocardial infarction.
Difficulty breathing at night and decreased sleep quality
Myocardial infarction may cause people to have difficulty breathing or wake up frequently during the night. This condition may be related to a change in body position, and when the patient is lying flat, the workload on the heart may increase, leading to increased breathlessness. Nocturnal dyspnea and decreased sleep quality may be a sign of pre-myocardial infarction, especially if the patient has no obvious cause of other respiratory or pulmonary disease, and the possibility of cardiovascular disease should be considered.
General fatigue and decreased physical strength
Persistent general fatigue
In the early stages of myocardial infarction, patients may experience persistent general fatigue. This feeling of fatigue is different from normal exertion or post-activity exhaustion, and is difficult to relieve even when resting or reducing activity. Generalized fatigue may be related to the lack of blood supply to tissues and organs throughout the body due to the weakening of the heart's pumping function, which should be paid attention to by patients and doctors.
Decreased activity tolerance
In the early stages of myocardial infarction, patients may gradually feel a decrease in their activity tolerance. When performing activities of daily living, such as walking, climbing stairs, or doing light physical activity, you feel more tired or need more rest time than before. This decreased activity tolerance may be associated with inadequate blood supply to the heart or weakened cardiac function and is an important sign in the pre-myocardial infarction stage.
Changes in heart rate and respiratory rate at rest
In the early stages of myocardial infarction, patients may experience abnormal changes in heart rate and respiratory rate at rest. The heart rate may increase at rest or there may be an irregular rhythm, reflecting unstable heart function or increased workload. Abnormal changes in respiratory rate may also be associated with increased cardiac workload, especially when breathing is rapid or irregular at rest, and such changes in heart rate and respiratory rate at rest may be one of the early signs of pre-myocardial infarction, especially if there is no other obvious cause to explain it. These changes may not be caused solely by psychological or emotional factors, but reflect real changes in the functional state of the heart. Therefore, when patients are aware of these abnormal changes in heart rate and respiratory rate at rest, they should seek medical advice and undergo relevant tests to determine whether there is a cardiovascular problem.
Digestive abnormalities and discomfort
Possibility of digestive symptoms
In the early stages of myocardial infarction, some patients may present with symptoms related to the digestive system. These symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, an upset stomach or loss of appetite. These symptoms are often misunderstood as gastrointestinal problems, especially when there are no other chest pain or cardiovascular symptoms. However, myocardial infarction can lead to a lack of blood supply to the heart, which in turn affects the normal functioning of the digestive system, leading to the appearance of these digestive symptoms.
Pressure and discomfort in the upper abdomen
In the early stages of myocardial infarction, some patients may feel pressure or discomfort in the upper abdomen. This discomfort may be related to reduced blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract due to weakened heart function, especially after eating or during digestion. This feeling of pressure in the upper abdomen usually does not improve over time and should be taken seriously by the patient and clinician.
Indigestion and stomach upset
In the early stages of myocardial infarction, patients may present with symptoms of indigestion, such as gas, stomach upset, or poor digestion. These symptoms may be mistaken for a food allergy or gastrointestinal infection, but myocardial infarction should be considered if accompanied by other cardiovascular symptoms, such as chest pain or dyspnea. Early recognition of these manifestations of digestive abnormalities can help improve the diagnostic and therapeutic outcomes of patients.