Myocardial infarction

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI or MI), commonly known as a heart attack, is a serious, sudden heart condition usually characterized by varying degrees of chest pain or discomfort, weakness, sweating, nausea, vomiting, and arrhythmias, sometimes causing loss of consciousness. It occurs when a part of the heart muscle is injured, and this part may die because of sudden total interruption of blood flow to the area. It is often a life-threatening medical emergency which demands both immediate attention and activation of the emergency medical services.

History

Before the discovery of the electrocardiogram, it was impossible to objectively diagnose myocardial infarction. The term angina pectoris had already been extant for 150 years (William Heberden coined the term in 1772), but little was known about the disease mechanism.

Related Topics:
Electrocardiogram - Angina pectoris - William Heberden - 1772

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As a disease entity, myocardial infarction was described in full by Dr James Herrick in an 1912 article in JAMA. He is credited as the originator of the "thrombogenic theory", i.e. the theory that myocardial infarction is due to thrombosis in the coronary artery. Subsequently, atherosclerosis and plaque rupture were discovered as underlying mechanisms.

Related Topics:
James Herrick - 1912 - JAMA - Thrombosis - Atherosclerosis

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A major breakthrough in the identification of risk factors was the 1956 British doctors study, which showed an increased risk of myocardial infarction in heavy smokers.

Related Topics:
Risk factor - 1956 - British doctors study - Smokers

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