Etiology- What causes this disease?
The etiology of Myocardial Infarction (MI) is when the available oxygen supply does not meet the oxygen demand in the body due to oxygen imbalance subsequently leading to decreased coronary blood flow. The multifactorial decreased blood flow leads to cardiac ischemic due to the triggering stress or chronic anxiety (Banasik, 2021).
Pathogenesis
What happens at the cellular, tissue, and organ levels?
The imbalance of oxygen leads myocardial cells to switch to anaerobic metabolism. This condition discontinues the contractions of the heart which results in alleviating ischemia leading to myocardial cell death (Banasik, 2021). Myocardial cells can endure severe ischemic situations for almost 30 minutes and then ultimately to a person’s death.
How does that alter the function of the associated system?
The interruption of oxygenated blood supply to the heart for more than 30 minutes can stop the whole-body system and eventually leads to rupturing all the cells in the region of the heart which results in the death of a person suffering from severe ischemia.
How does it impact the function of the body as a whole?
A person experiencing the blockage of oxygenated-rich blood to the heart that lasts long enough, heart muscle cells die due to ischemic cascade, a process that forms collagen scar due to which the heart gets permanently damaged. If he survives, he is at the risk of life-threatening Cardiac Arrhythmia which is the condition where the heart loses the ability to pump out enough blood that is required by the rest of the body organs (Banasik, 2021).
Clinical Manifestations
What signs will you observe or measure?
Signs that a healthcare provider can measure or observe in case of a patient suffering from myocardial infarction are lowered cardiac output, vomiting, low blood pressure, sweating, nausea, etc.
What symptoms will the client experience or feel?
Symptoms of this cardiovascular disease include chaotic heart rhythm, dangerous fall in blood pressure, chest pain, shortness of breath, feeling that one is going to faint, jaw pain, upper back pain, lightheadedness, and anxious condition of the patient (Banasik, 2021).
What abnormal labs and diagnostic tests confirm or support the diagnosis of the disease?
The physical examination with blood tests as cardiac markers for detecting heart muscle cell damage and electrocardiogram findings through visualization of obstruction is conducted to diagnose myocardial infarction.
Treatment Implications
Briefly explain the types of treatments used.
The doctor may recommend a patient suffering from myocardial infarction undergoing a Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) which is an invasive procedure that includes unblocking the arteries that supply blood to the heart. This procedure is also referred to as angioplasty with an infusion of the stent (Banasik, 2021).
What are the goals of treatment in relation to the pathophysiology?
The goals of the management of pathophysiology of myocardial infarction are cardiac rehabilitation so that a patient can slowly regain his strength to thrive in his healthy lifestyle like the people around him. Furthermore, doctors recommend exercises and certain medications to help the patient prevent further heart attacks and to relieve the symptoms.
Are we seeking a cure, remission, or palliative care?
Myocardial infarction offers a wide range of multifaceted and complex symptoms that seek palliative medical care in order to reduce direct damage for further attack and maintain the best possible quality of life for them.
References
Banasik, J. L. (2021). Pathophysiology. (7th ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences. US.
