Heart attack suffered on the legs: consequences. A heart attack on the legs: signs, diagnosis, treatment methods, consequences. What is dangerous about a heart attack on the legs? consequences

The precursor to a heart attack is coronary heart disease, as a result of which a vital organ experiences oxygen starvation. Twenty percent clinical cases the patient does not experience any alarming symptoms and continues to lead a normal lifestyle. Experts have not yet identified objective reason, which contributes to the fact that a person suffers a heart attack on his legs. According to medical statistics, a fifth of cases are diagnosed absolutely spontaneously, in the process of undergoing mandatory medical commission. A person does not pay attention in a timely manner to signs indicating deadly heart problems. Often this is facilitated by a high pain threshold and dysfunction of pain receptors, diabetes mellitus.

Symptoms

Meanwhile, the symptoms of myocardial infarction have a pronounced characteristic:

• unbearable pulling, squeezing, stabbing, pressing pain in the area chest;
• attacks of lack of air, suffocation, shortness of breath;
• profuse sweating, cold and sticky sweat;
• a cardiac cough may occur;
• pain may persist for several days;
• pain radiates to the left half of the body, covering the limbs, lower jaw, cervical region, epigastric region.

Diagnostics

The first alarming symptoms indicating an existing cardiac pathology should be perceived as a signal to immediately seek help. medical care.

The specialist conducts a number of studies aimed at diagnosing the condition of the cardiovascular system. Typically, the following studies are indicated:

• electrocardiogram;
• echocardiogram;
• blood chemistry
• daily monitoring using an electrocardiogram.

Myocardial infarction, which occurs without obvious signs, becomes a threat to human life also because the body does not give any signals about the need to change its usual way of life.

The patient continues to lead active physical and emotional activities, aggravating his condition. An asymptomatic, uncontrolled disease process increases risks exponentially fatal outcome, which can occur instantly.

Classification

The form of the asymptomatic course of the disease is called “atypical”. According to etiology, there are several forms of atypical infarction.

1. Abnominal. Characterized by symptoms in the area gastrointestinal tract: nausea, vomiting, bloating, flatulence, pain.
2. Asthmatic. It occurs in the absence of pain, against the background of suffocation, inability to take a full breath, cardiac cough, shortness of breath.
3. Arrhythmic. Signs of arrhythmia, rapid pulse, feeling of heart sinking.
4. Collaptoid. Decreases arterial pressure, resulting in dizziness, darkening of the eyes, tinnitus, and fainting.
5. Cerebral. Characteristic signs of circulatory dysfunction in the brain. Among others: nausea, loss of orientation in space, weakness of the limbs, paresis, speech disorders.
6. Erased. Explicit Clinical signs are missing. Sweating, increased fatigue, and mild tingling in the heart area may be observed.

Consequences

Each of the above symptoms requires close attention and timely seeking medical help. Losing valuable time can lead to serious complications. Immediately after an attack the following may manifest themselves:

• sudden hypotension;
• pulmonary edema;
• heartbreak;
• thromboembolism;
• pulse disturbances.

After a month or more, manifestations are possible:

• cardiosclerosis;
• heart failure;
• aneurysm;
• thrombus formation;
• embolism;
• arrhythmia.

The consequences of a myocardial infarction attack on the legs are a favorable basis for the development of relapses.

You need to listen carefully to your body and do not put off visiting a doctor. Timely diagnosis and adequate treatment will help prevent the risk of another attack.

Prevention

An effective preventive measure will be lifestyle correction. The following rules must be adhered to:

• refrain from bad habits: smoking, alcohol;
• engage in moderate physical activity every day;
• maintain water balance in the body by drinking at least two liters of clean drinking water per day;
• ensure a positive emotional background at work and in the family;
• avoid stress and psycho-emotional overload;
• adequately combine work and rest.

Often people suffer a heart attack on their legs. This is due to the fact that this dangerous condition may not be accompanied by significant symptoms and a rapid deterioration in the general condition. Thus, the patient may not even be aware that he has such a dangerous pathology.

It is believed that up to 20% of heart attacks are suffered by patients on their legs, but this does not make this condition any less dangerous. This course creates conditions for re-infarction and the development of other complications that can cause death.

Symptoms

Pronounced signs of a heart attack in men’s legs, as in women, may be absent. Often this condition is diagnosed by chance, because throughout the entire period of the attack the patient’s condition may remain satisfactory.

Feature suffered a heart attack myocardium is the absence of pain. The symptoms of the pathology in this case are not specific. A person may feel pressure in the chest, but this discomfort does not cause severe anxiety to the patient. In addition, a heart attack suffered on the legs may have the following symptoms:

• cold sweat;
• causeless anxiety;
• weakness;
• low pressure;
• feeling of lack of air;
• numbness of the left half of the body.

Signs of a heart attack in the legs in some cases can be easily confused with intestinal disorder, because the patient appears severe nausea and bouts of vomiting. The atypical course of ischemic damage to cardiac tissue may be accompanied by neurological manifestations. In this case, the patient experiences insomnia, panic attacks and headaches.

Symptoms of a heart attack suffered on the legs cannot be eliminated by taking Nitroglycerin and other medicines. This condition is extremely dangerous, because... a person who is unaware of his heart problem continues to lead an active lifestyle, which increases the risk of myocardial rupture in the area of ​​necrosis with subsequent death.

Why is this possible

When understanding the question of whether it is possible to have a heart attack on your legs, you should take into account that this happens often. Often a person suffers a micro-infarction, because in this case the area of ​​damage to the heart muscle is not too large and the remaining healthy tissue is enough to compensate for the resulting deficiency. This condition is accompanied by the appearance of signs of general malaise and severe fatigue. If the patient suffers a microinfarction on the legs, surges in blood pressure may occur.

However, such an asymptomatic course is not safe. Even with this course of myocardial tissue ischemia, complications can occur. In addition, microinfarctions worsen the condition of the heart muscle and create conditions for the appearance of other acute and chronic disorders heart functions.

Consequences

The consequences of a heart attack suffered on the legs can be life-threatening for the patient. Ischemic damage to heart tissue creates conditions for the formation of blood clots. Blood clots can travel through the bloodstream, causing thromboembolism pulmonary artery, damage to the kidneys, brain and other organs.

In addition, a heart attack suffered in the legs can result in death within a few days. A fatal outcome is often observed if tissue rupture occurs against the background of heart damage due to the ischemic process. Often, against the background of rupture of myocardial tissue, it develops cardiogenic shock. This condition is accompanied by a sharp drop in blood pressure, shortness of breath and other symptoms.

A common consequence of a heart attack is disorders heart rate varying degrees of severity. In addition, pulmonary edema may occur, which is accompanied by increasing respiratory failure and can cause death.

Against the background of such a pathological condition as a heart attack, the formation of an aneurysm is often observed in the future. This defect occurs when the formed scar begins to stretch under intracardiac pressure. This complication is characterized by progressive heart failure, because the efforts of the muscles of the organ do not allow blood to be completely ejected from the expanded cavity.

Myocardial infarction suffered on the legs can create conditions for the development of cardiosclerosis, which is accompanied by the replacement of healthy areas of the heart with fibrous tissue. This leads to progressive heart failure.

Rehabilitation

A heart attack does not go away without consequences, so even if this pathological condition was not accompanied by the appearance of severe symptoms, it is necessary to direct efforts to restore health. After identifying this disorder, the patient should be regularly examined and take medications designed to improve the nutrition of heart tissue and restore its normal functioning.

Lifelong use of medications intended for recovery is often required normal rhythm and pressure. In addition, targeted rehabilitation is required. A person who has recently had a heart attack is recommended to adhere to a gentle regimen: feeling unwell better to stay in bed physical activity should be limited. You should stop playing sports for about 4 weeks after the attack. To avoid blood stagnation in lower limbs, you should regularly take long walks.

You need to give up alcohol and, if necessary, quit smoking. In addition, it is recommended to adhere to a special diet, including easy-to-digest but nutritious foods. At the same time, fried foods, semi-finished products, smoked foods, pickles and other unhealthy foods should be excluded. Emotional stress must be avoided.

In the future, a course of physical therapy may be recommended to restore heart function. Physical activity should be increased gradually. First, a person must exercise under the supervision of a physical therapy instructor. Great benefit the patient can benefit from treatment in a sanatorium-resort setting. After stabilization of the patient's condition, it is recommended to undergo preventive examinations cardiologist every 6 months.

From this article you will learn: what a microinfarction is and how it differs from a classic heart attack. Causes, typical symptoms. Treatment and prognosis.

• Causes of microinfarction
• Symptoms
• Diagnostics
• Treatment methods
• Consequences and prognosis

Damage to the myocardium (heart muscle) during a heart attack can be different. A microinfarction is a small area of ​​necrosis (necrosis) of the heart muscle resulting from insufficient blood supply. The symptoms of a microinfarction are in many ways reminiscent of a typical (large-focal, widespread) infarction, but are somewhat milder, and in some cases it can be completely asymptomatic.

But any heart attack, even a small one, always poses a serious threat to the health and even life of the patient. Therefore, signs of acute myocardial blood shortage always require urgent examination, and if the diagnosis of a heart attack is confirmed, hospitalization for treatment in a hospital setting and subsequent long-term rehabilitation are required.

It is necessary to avoid a frivolous attitude towards the diagnosis, since the prefix“micro-” means only the affected area, but does not always indicate the same “mild” degree of the condition. The focus of necrosis can be localized in the area of ​​important structures of the heart muscle, and any heart attack is very dangerous and requires careful examination, treatment by a cardiologist and observation.

But in general, the course of a microinfarction is much milder, and the prognosis is relatively favorable - after completing the course of treatment and rehabilitation, the patient can return to work and an active lifestyle (subject to some recommendations and a few restrictions).

Causes of microinfarction

A microinfarction occurs as a result of ischemia or lack of blood flow (compared to normal) in a section of the heart muscle.

Ischemia can develop when:

Risk factors for myocardial ischemia and infarction (both small- and large-focal):

Characteristic symptoms

The main symptoms of a microinfarction in most cases are no different from the symptoms of a large-focal infarction. The severity of the patient's condition, immediate and distant consequences are determined mainly by the extent of damage to the heart muscle.

Fine-focal myocardial necrosis can occur in four ways:

Symptoms of a microinfarction

Asymptomatic form of microinfarction

Symptoms of a microinfarction can be very mild (in the form of slight, short-term heaviness in the chest or shortness of breath) - such a disease is called asymptomatic. This course of the disease is possible in individuals with a reduced pain threshold, as well as with a very small lesion. But, despite the fact that signs of microinfarction in in this case do not cause concern to the patient, this form may turn out to be more dangerous than clinically expressed ones - after all, the patient does not suspect that he has heart problems, which means he does not see a doctor and is not treated.

A microinfarction with an asymptomatic course is often discovered by chance, months and years after its occurrence - during a routine medical examination or an ECG for another reason. Such a “find” should be a reason to immediately contact a cardiologist for a full examination of the cardiovascular system. vascular system and developing a patient rehabilitation program that will prevent relapse of myocardial ischemia and other unpleasant consequences. Do not forget that having a heart attack once dramatically increases the risk of another heart attack, which can become fatal for you.

Diagnostics

The main method for diagnosing microinfarction is electrocardiography (ECG).

Electrocardiography

Additionally, a biochemical blood test is used (determining markers of damage to the heart muscle - creatine phosphokinase, troponin, lactate dehydrogenase).

Ultrasound of the heart (Doppler echocardiography) allows you to clarify the location and size of necrosis.

Treatment of microinfarction

If a microinfarction proceeded with typical symptoms and was diagnosed on time (in the acute or acute phase, that is, within 2 hours to 10 days from its occurrence), treatment must be carried out in a hospital, preferably in the cardiology department, where there are all the conditions for a full-fledged examination and round-the-clock monitoring of the patient.

If classic signs of a heart attack appear - in the form of a burning sensation behind the sternum with radiation to the left arm - you must immediately call an ambulance, lie down and take a nitroglycerin tablet under the tongue, you can also drink 1-2 aspirin tablets. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the doctor will suggest hospitalization and take other necessary measures (administration of painkillers, including narcotics, initiation of thrombolysis therapy, correction of blood pressure, heart rate, etc.).

If symptoms of a microinfarction are detected, you should take nitroglycerin and aspirin

In the hospital, they continue to administer painkillers, nitroglycerin, heparin and streptokinase (to dissolve blood clots and prevent thrombus formation), and use other medications as indicated.

If the microinfarction was asymptomatic and was discovered by chance, rehabilitation measures should be started.

Rehabilitation after a micro-infarction

Carrying out rehabilitation measures after a myocardial infarction allows you to avoid the development of adverse consequences and accelerate recovery period and return activity and performance to patients.

Rehabilitation includes:

Rehabilitation after a microinfarction

Consequences and prognosis

Microinfarction with timely diagnosis and proper treatment has a relatively favorable prognosis. The resulting focus of necrosis does not undergo reverse development - after a heart attack, a scar remains on the myocardial tissue. However balanced diet, adequate drug therapy and dosed physical activity help the patient quickly go through the recovery period and return to an active lifestyle.

After a microinfarction, no significant restrictions are imposed on the patient - excessive physical activity and nervous stress are prohibited, and doctors strongly recommend quitting smoking. Regular examinations with a cardiologist and continuous or course drug therapy will be necessary.

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Harbingers of the disease

In general, the symptoms and first signs of a microinfarction are very similar to a common cold, so many people do not pay attention to the malaise special attention and do not suspect the presence of serious cardiac dysfunction. When an attack approaches, lasting from forty minutes to an hour, a person usually feels:

• general weakness;
• aching bones;
• slight deviation from normal temperature indicators
• discomfort in the chest area.

Important! Women in the vast majority of cases experience a microinfarction on their legs - the symptoms are so inexpressive that the diagnosis is made after the fact, when more severe cardiovascular diseases occur.

Oddly enough, people of retirement age and those who suffer from diabetes mellitus tolerate the disease most easily. They, as a rule, have a much higher ability to tolerate pain, so they can endure the characteristic symptoms for a longer period. discomfort, such as:

• sudden pain in the left side of the chest, radiating to the area shoulder girdle jaws and shoulder blades;
• blue lips and area around the nose;
• mild to severe dizziness (possible fainting);
• labored breathing.

Exactly how a microinfarction proceeds (symptoms, first signs, duration and consequences) largely depends on what caused it, as well as the state of the body as a whole and the heart in particular. The disease is mainly caused by a lack of physical activity, poor diet and all sorts of harmful hobbies such as alcohol and smoking. Due to all these factors, the endurance of the myocardium gradually decreases, as a result of which atherosclerotic plaques form, and the blood acquires a thicker consistency. Also, the development of the disease is influenced by frequent stress, congenital and acquired pathologies, as a result of which muscle becomes prone to ruptures.

In order to avoid irreversible changes, it is very important to clearly understand what a “microinfarction” is and why external manifestations and it can be recognized by internal sensations. On practice timely diagnosis and first aid is the key to saving the patient, so everyone should have knowledge about this disease.

Typical signs of pathology in representatives of the stronger sex

As already mentioned, in men it is much easier to detect a microinfarction - the signs manifest themselves sufficiently for a person to feel the need to see a doctor. The attack begins with a sudden sharp pain in the chest, which radiates to the left arm or to the abdominal area, while many note that there is a feeling of something foreign in the chest.

Concomitant symptoms of myocardial microinfarction may include:

• cyanosis (blueness) of the nasolabial triangle;
• inability to feel the pulse in the veins of the arms;
• causeless panic and fear;
• temperature rise to 38 degrees;
• cold sweat;
• cooling of the extremities.

Attention! For representatives of the stronger sex, the asymptomatic course of the disease is very a rare event, while the only thing a person feels is unexpected pain and compression. Subsequently (after 2-3 hours) the unpleasant sensations disappear.

The symptoms and consequences of a microinfarction have a certain relationship, and when hidden form the likelihood of complications is much higher, because the patient may simply not receive it on time medical assistance. If a man feels chronic fatigue, gets tired quickly and feels a headache - this is a reason to go to the hospital and see a doctor!

How to diagnose the disease in women?

Due to less bright clinical picture With small focal necrosis of heart tissue, women have to be much more careful about the condition of their body. Knowing what a microinfarction is and its consequences, you can prevent the necrosis of a large area and restore health by returning to a normal lifestyle. The most obvious warning signs in this case are problems with the blood supply to the legs and arms, swelling, causeless nausea and pain in the epigastric zone. Those who simultaneously feel a headache and suffer from high blood pressure should immediately see a cardiologist. Knowing everything about the symptoms, first signs and treatment of microinfarction, an experienced doctor will quickly make a diagnosis and offer the optimal treatment option.

What are the consequences of small-focal necrosis of cardiac tissue?

There is no guarantee that drugs for the treatment of microinfarction will help restore the functionality of the myocardium, even if the person immediately received medical help. This is due to the fact that the degree of effectiveness of therapy also depends on age, the affected area and the presence accompanying pathologies. However, it is much worse if the patient does not receive any treatment at all, as a result of which he will develop the following complications:

• blockage of blood vessels;

• heart rhythm disturbances;
• extensive heart attack;
• heart failure.

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Anatomical and functional changes

In contrast to a full-fledged infarction, microlesion is detected in the form of small focal necrosis in the subendocardial layer. They do not reach the depth of the endocardium and epicardium.

The limited area of ​​necrosis is associated with a sufficient network of collateral (auxiliary) arteries of the heart, replacing the thrombosed branches of the coronary vessels.

During the recovery phase, scar tissue appears at the site of necrosis. During the first microinfarction, myocardial functions are able to completely normalize due to the “help” of neighboring muscle areas. But repeated scarring gradually reduces the strength of contractions.

Causes of microinfarction

The causes of thrombus formation in the coronary arteries during microinfarction are:

• the formation of an atherosclerotic plaque along the path of blood flow, this explains the predominant incidence of men by the age of 40 (women at this age are still protected from atherosclerosis by estrogen);
• overload nervous system, stress - lead to spasm of blood vessels not only of the heart, but also of the brain, creating conditions for the development of a micro-stroke, which is also proven by the unfavorable prevalence statistics in young men;


• obesity - more typical for women;
• hypercholesterolemia remains a recognized cause, although it is disputed by many facts (half of the patients with heart attacks have normal level cholesterol);
• diabetes mellitus and endocrine disorders - contribute to the early development of atherosclerosis, disrupting metabolism, followed by microinfarction;
• hypertension - changes the regulatory role of the brain, increases the load on the heart;
• smoking and alcoholism.

All of these factors in their own way disrupt the balance of the coagulation and anticoagulation systems and block the normal protective reaction. The result is a microinfarction or a zone of necrosis in the basin of a separate branch of the coronary artery.

Clinical picture of microinfarction

It is impossible to determine the typical symptoms of a microinfarction, since they do not differ from angina pectoris or more severe ischemia. Based statistical observations, a small focal lesion can be assumed in the presence of several standard conditions.

Signs of a microinfarction include:

• relatively young age of the male patient (about 40 years);
• paroxysmal pain on the left or behind the sternum from a pronounced burning or squeezing character to quite tolerable;
• the duration of the pain syndrome is 10–15 minutes, less often up to an hour;
• irradiation in left shoulder, shoulder blade, jaw;
• slight increase in temperature;
• possible dizziness due to a moderate decrease in blood pressure;
• sweating during an attack;
• feeling of fear of death;
• incomplete pain relief with Nitroglycerin.

Most often, signs of a microinfarction are detected “retrospectively”, detected on an ECG in the scarring stage, since patients endure them “on their feet”. Seek medical help in case of repeated heart attacks or in case of complications.

Among the atypical forms for small-focal infarction, the most characteristic is painless. For unknown reasons, a middle-aged person has a fever, weakness, sweating, and shortness of breath. Signs of inflammation or viral infection are missing.

Very rarely, when interviewed, the patient may recall transient, unclear pain in the abdomen (abdominal form). Expressed cerebral form practically never happens. But the connection of the transferred fainting myocardial ischemia cannot be ignored and needs urgent investigation.

Practice shows that the majority of painless forms of microinfarction occur in:

• elderly patients;
• women;
• patients with diabetes mellitus.

What diagnostic methods can be used to make a correct diagnosis?

The main method for diagnosing microinfarction is electrocardiography (ECG). Changes are characterized by the presence of:

• coronary negative tooth T;
• downward shifted ST interval;
• absence of disturbances of the ventricular QRS complex.

When scars are identified after a microinfarction, bundle branch blocks and signs of metabolic disorders are detected.

Laboratory indicators are less typical and therefore are not very informative in diagnosis:

• moderate leukocytosis is found in half of the patients;
• acceleration of ESR up to 15-40 mm/hour;
• a slight increase in fibrinogen concentration;
• enzymes indicating myocardial necrosis may be normal.

How to provide first aid to a patient?

The care regimen does not differ from that for suspected angina or large-focal infarction. If a person has pain in the heart area, it is recommended:

• at home, put him to bed, in public places try to give him horizontal position, if he has shortness of breath, he can sit;
• ensure peace and sufficient air flow;
• from the medications available “at hand”, it is allowed to give up to three Nitroglycerin tablets under the tongue, one Aspirin;
• do not leave the patient unattended;
• Be sure to call an ambulance.

How is a small focal infarction treated?

Treatment of microinfarction in terms of goals corresponds to general complex measures to relieve the ischemic zone and restore the patency of the coronary vessels. After all, the risk of spreading the lesion remains important for the patient.

When an acute period is detected:

• hospitalization is required;
• bed rest is expanding gradually, perhaps the doctor will allow you to walk to the toilet and back from the first days;
• food according to dietary table No. 10, preferably at first mainly semi-liquid dishes;
• fibrinolytic therapy is not carried out, anticoagulants are prescribed in the usual manner - first heparin, then switching to indirect-acting drugs (Warfarin);
• for expansion coronary arteries coronary agents are used (Curantil intravenously);
• At the same time, prevention of arrhythmias is carried out using drip administration of potassium-containing drugs (Panangin, potassium chloride solution).

• mandatory physical activity, which will be determined by the doctor (training walking on stairs, walks in the air are suitable, it is necessary to do gymnastics in the morning);
• you should learn to control the heart’s ability to carry out stress not only by how you feel, but also by heart rate;
• elimination of nervous overload at work and in the family;
• ensuring adequate sleep;
• stopping smoking and giving up alcoholic beverages;
• limiting dishes from fatty foods (meat, sour cream), hot sauces;
• preparing vegetable salads, stewed and boiled dishes, daily consumption of fruits.

What if the changes are no longer fresh?

If a microinfarction in the scar stage is detected on the ECG, the patient needs to deal with the prevention of more widespread changes in the myocardium.

Regular activities and nutrition do not differ from general requirements. They should be followed throughout your life.

Diseases that contribute to myocardial ischemia are treated with specific drugs: antihypertensive drugs- hypertension, hypoglycemic drugs - diabetes.

The doctor usually prescribes a course of statins if it is impossible to manage with a diet.

According to indications for microinfarction, coronary lytics and β-blockers are prescribed. These drugs allow you to preserve and develop the remaining heart muscle tissue.

What consequences should you expect?

The consequences of a microinfarction are determined by the localization of the damage zone and the readiness of non-thrombosed vessels to take over the nutrition of the additional area. The severity of complications is due to repeated scars that replace normal myocardial tissue and prevent heart contraction.

With repeated microinfarctions, the following are possible:

• development of heart failure such as cardiac asthma;
• the occurrence of rhythm and conduction disturbances;
• formation of an aneurysm in the area of ​​several scars;
• parietal thrombus formation with embolic complications;
• the occurrence of inflammation of the underlying pericardial zone;
• repeated large-focal myocardial infarction with all complications.

Micro-violations cannot be ignored. They signal that risk factors have already “triggered” and treatment and prevention should be pursued dangerous forms diseases. There is no longer any time left for predictions and applications folk remedies. Joint decisive actions of the doctor and the patient during a microinfarction will allow the heart to adapt to the changed conditions.

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Causes of the disease

There are many reasons, both external and internal, that significantly increase the risk of the first symptoms of a microinfarction, the key ones being:

• a large amount of stress in a person’s life;
• high irritability;
• suspiciousness;
• incontinence;
• high level of anxiety.
• elevated cholesterol levels;
• heredity;
• excessive alcohol consumption;
• smoking.

Symptoms and signs of the disease

The main feature of a mini-heart attack is that a person can find out about the presence of this disease much later after its onset.

Sometimes the manifestation of symptoms is similar to a common cold, so the patient is characterized by a feeling of general weakness and malaise, a slight increase in temperature and chest pain. The duration of the microinfarction itself is usually no more than 60 minutes.

Among the main symptoms of a microinfarction are the following:

• sharp pain in the left side of the chest;
• bluish lips;
• dyspnea;
• dizziness;
• loss of consciousness.

The appearance of these symptoms causes subsequent severity additional signs, which may indicate that you have already suffered a microinfarction, the main ones are: chills and swelling of the extremities, increased blood pressure and severe headaches, increased sweating and pain in the joints. As you can see, the signs of a microinfarction, as well as the symptoms, are typical for many diseases, so only their complex can indicate the presence of a disease.

Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosis of microinfarction is the task of a cardiac surgeon. It is carried out through an electrocardiogram, with the help of which general changes in the cardiac complex are determined. In addition, during the procedure, information about the localization of the lesion can be obtained.

Treatment of the disease is carried out exclusively in inpatient settings. Patients are prescribed bed rest; medications that dilate the blood vessels of the heart, dissolve blood clots, and also help improve blood flow are required. Droppers and wide range painkillers.

Consequences and methods of prevention

The consequences of a microinfarction are very serious, the main ones being increased heart failure, arrhythmia, pericarditis, extensive microinfarction of the heart and even its ruptures. V.

Therefore, when the first signs and symptoms of the disease appear, it is imperative to consult a doctor, and it is also necessary to carry out regular examination see a cardiologist, especially if you have various heart diseases, diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

To each to modern man living in a high rhythm, it is necessary to adhere to the complex preventive measures, the main ones being minimizing stressful situations, exclusion of irritants to the nervous system, as well as adherence to the norms of a healthy lifestyle. Proper regulation of normal sleep and wakefulness, moderate physical activity and exclusion of fatty foods and alcohol from the diet, as well as quitting smoking significantly reduce the risk of this disease. Only such an integrated approach will preserve heart health, which guarantees a long and high quality of life.

Signs of microinfarction in men Transmural myocardial infarction prognosis

Under certain conditions in some people serious problems with the heart may have an atypical course without the development of severe clinical symptoms. In particular, a heart attack suffered “on your feet” is a fairly common occurrence that can pose an immediate threat to a person’s life or cause serious complications and negative consequences for good health.

What is a heart attack?

The term myocardial infarction defines a pathological process, the consequence of which is the death of a section of cardiac muscle tissue due to a sharp disruption of blood circulation against the background of the influence of several provoking factors:

• Coronary heart disease, which is the result of cholesterol deposition in the coronary arteries supplying the myocardium.
• Hypertension with a prolonged increase in systemic blood pressure.
• Thrombophlebitis – inflammatory process V venous vessels, accompanied by the formation of blood clots, which can subsequently clog the coronary arteries.
• Age and gender of the person – often pathology can occur in men over 50 years of age. In women, the pathological process usually develops with the appearance of severe pain.
• Smoking and systematic drinking of alcohol, hobbies fatty foods, which contribute to faster deposition of cholesterol in the arteries.
• Insufficient physical activity of a person.
• Frequent and severe emotional or physical stress.
• A change in the functional state of the blood, accompanied by increased coagulability and intravascular thrombus formation.

In order to avoid the development of a heart attack, it is important to exclude exposure to all provoking factors, which is possible through lifestyle modifications.

Is it possible to miss a heart attack?

Insufficient nutrition of the heart muscle and tissue death are usually accompanied by the development of severe pain, which initially has the character of compression, and then sharply intensifies. A heart attack can go unnoticed and is painless pathological process develops in several situations:

• Individual characteristics of the human body, which include a high threshold of pain sensitivity, as well as certain anatomical changes in the innervation of the heart muscle.
• A long course of coronary heart disease, in which there is a gradual “adaptation” of sensitive receptors, as well as the central structures of the nervous system, to pain sensations.
• Taking certain medications that have the ability to reduce the severity of pain - non-steroidal or hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs, sedatives.
• Exhaustion of a person, in which the activity of the nervous system, including the afferent part responsible for sensitivity, decreases.
• A small focus of a pathological process called a microinfarction. On the legs, the disease can be transmitted frequently; it is detected after a long time due to the identification of formed connective tissue scars in the area of ​​tissue death.

Knowledge of provoking factors will allow you to suspect possible development diseases, especially in the case of general, nonspecific symptoms.

Symptoms

Asymptomatic or hidden infarction is characterized by the absence of the main manifestation – compressive or severe pain in the chest area behind the sternum. Signs of changes in the functional state of the cardiovascular system may often appear, which include:

• Pronounced sweating or the appearance of “cold sweat”.
• Nausea, often accompanied by vomiting.
• Marked feeling of weakness.
• Drowsiness, which can reach significant severity, even to the point of fainting.
• The appearance of sensations of numbness, which predominantly radiate to the left side.
• Decrease in systemic blood pressure (arterial hypotension).

Appearance common symptoms a person may associate it with overwork and insufficient sleep. Several signs may indicate that a heart attack is occurring without heart pain. characteristic features, which you should pay attention to:

• The appearance of unmotivated weakness several weeks before a heart attack.
• General signs of changes in the functional state of the cardiovascular and autonomic nervous systems are characterized by constancy, more often appear in the evening, and they lead to the development of insomnia.
• There is an increase in the clinical symptoms of “silent” heart attack after physical or emotional stress.
• As signs of a heart attack develop, shortness of breath appears varying degrees expressiveness.
• With a long course of the pathological process, especially against the background of damage to a significant volume of tissue, the development of consequences is not uncommon.

If a person has suffered a heart attack without severe symptoms and in the absence of complications, then he may not know about it for a long time. Typically, the pathological condition is detected retrospectively on an ECG in the form of formed connective tissue scars.

Important! Enough a common symptom A “silent” heart attack is the sudden appearance of an acute human reaction to various odors.

Is a “silent” heart attack dangerous?

If a person manages to suffer a small tissue infarction, then acute complications often do not develop. In the area of ​​dead cells, a connective tissue scar gradually forms. If a significant amount of tissue is damaged, a heart attack can lead to the development of several dangerous complications:

• Decline contractility myocardium with the development of acute or chronic heart failure.
• The development of arrhythmia, which is characterized by a change in the rhythm and speed of heart contractions.
• Thrombosis is the formation of blood clots inside the cavities of the heart in the area of ​​dead (necrotic tissue).
• The formation of a large connective tissue scar (cardiosclerosis), which causes deformation of the valves and insufficiency of their functional state.
• Partial rupture of the heart wall in the area of ​​tissue death, which is very dangerous condition, since the blood exits into the pericardium. This causes compression (tamponade) of the heart with subsequent cardiac arrest.
• The development of pulmonary edema caused by acute disruption of the contractile function of the heart.

One of the criteria for a heart attack “on the legs” is that it brings an exacerbation of other diseases of the cardiovascular system, in particular hypertension and pericarditis.

Important! The danger of a rupture of the heart wall is that it can develop a long time after a heart attack at the stage of formation of a connective tissue scar.

How to identify?

Reliable detection of a previous heart attack with minimal clinical manifestations is possible using objective diagnostic methods, which include:

• ECG - cardiogram is a functional research method that makes it possible to determine the nature and location of ischemia (insufficient tissue nutrition) or myocardial infarction.
• "Holter" monitoring - recording a cardiogram using a portable device for long period time (usually about a day) during which the patient leads a normal lifestyle.
• Echocardioscopy – ultrasonography heart, making it possible to visualize the affected tissue. It will show the severity of the pathological process, as well as its localization.
• Biochemical blood test - determination of the activity of certain enzymes in the plasma, which increases with the death of a large number of myocardial cells (myocardiocytes).
• Clinical blood test - determination of a number of indicators that make it possible to evaluate functional state many organs and systems, as well as identify the inflammatory process that often develops against the background of a heart attack.

If necessary, the doctor prescribes other research methods that help establish or exclude the presence of complications, as well as other concomitant pathologies.

Timely diagnosis of a heart attack suffered “on your feet” is an important measure that helps prevent the development of complications and negative health consequences.

Many people, especially those suffering coronary disease hearts, I’m very concerned about the answer to the question whether it’s possible to survive a heart attack on your legs. The answer is yes, because in this case the symptoms of the disease are subtle. People with ischemic manifestations, hypertension, and also those with a higher pain sensitivity threshold are most prone to it. In some cases, people may not experience obvious symptoms heart beat and continue daily life. This atypical shape the course of myocardial infarction, which is often discovered accidentally on an electrocardiogram during, for example, an annual medical examination.

Why is a heart attack in the legs even possible?

Finding out what it means to have a heart attack on the legs, experts actually equate it to a micro-infarction, in which damage occurs in a small area of ​​the myocardium. And microinfarctions are often characterized by an atypical course without severe pain, accompanied only by nausea, a drop in pressure and malaise.

Typically, a person regards this condition as simple fatigue from overwork due to heavy physical activity, severe anxiety, stress suffered the day before, or simply bad weather. In men, microinfarctions are recorded more often than in women due to the difference in the functioning of their bodies and women’s greater resistance to pain. But this is precisely why a heart attack suffered on the legs can have more severe consequences in women.

Sometimes the patient’s condition stabilizes after necrosis of part of the myocardium, but in the worst case scenario he faces more serious consequences.

Symptoms of myocardial infarction in the legs

If almost any person can quite easily unravel the signs of a conventional MI, then the symptoms of an atypical heart attack in the legs are blurred, often with the absence of pain, and patients tend to associate the ensuing general malaise with simple fatigue or other reasons.

Symptoms and first signs of a heart attack in the legs may be:

• prolonged chest pain;
• pressing, dull or stabbing pain in the region of the heart;
• decreased blood pressure;
• cold sweat, especially on the forehead and internal sides palms;
• shortness of breath, feeling of lack of air;
• numbness on the left side of the body, including the limbs, lower jaw and neck.

There may also be abdominal pain with attacks of vomiting and nausea. With a hidden infarction, there is often no pain, but there are obvious signs suffocation, and against the background of dropped blood pressure, an asthmatic cough begins.

Subtle symptoms and signs of a heart attack in men and women on the legs may appear 2-3 weeks before its onset, these include fatigue and weakness, mixed with a feeling of anxiety and fear. This condition becomes constant for a person, especially in the evenings; because of fear, he cannot even sleep.

There are other symptoms of myocardial infarction in the legs:

• shortness of breath even when climbing stairs slowly;
• nausea caused by any strong smell.

All these symptoms worsen sharply when physical activity, provoking the onset of necrosis in the myocardium.

If a heart attack in the legs is already beginning to show symptoms, its consequences will be even more severe.

Having not noticed the signs of a heart attack on the legs in a timely manner, the patient continues to carry out the same emotionally and physically active activities, thereby aggravating his condition. A destructive process left to its own accord sharply increases the likelihood fatal outcome, which often occurs unexpectedly and instantly.

Classification of latent MI

The latent form of myocardial infarction can be classified according to the severity of its symptoms.

• “Erased” MI with combined necrosis, in which there is only weak severe symptoms: tingling in the chest, mild nausea, sweating, weakness. This is the most difficult form of MI to determine, and if missed, it reminds itself a few days or weeks later with more severe consequences.
• Abdominal MI, in which there are signs in the abdomen dull pain, and it itself thickens, when palpating the abdomen, pain is felt, there is vomiting, nausea, and intolerance to certain odors.
• In arrhythmic MI, periods of rapid heartbeat alternate with cardiac arrest.
• Asthmatic MI occurs without heart pain, but with coughing, shortness of breath, and attacks of suffocation. The patient is unable to take a deep breath.
• With cerebral infarction, cerebral necrosis occurs. In this case, blood flow is disrupted in the brain, which causes nausea, disorientation, problems with speech, and weakening of the muscles of the limbs.

• Collaptoid (shock) MI is characterized by a sharp drop in blood pressure. A wave of weakness and dizziness rolls over the patient, his vision becomes dark, and noise is heard in his ears.

It is obvious why a heart attack suffered on the legs is dangerous - its atypical form is almost impossible to predict, so it is better to play it safe and immediately consult a doctor with any alarming changes.

Diagnosis of MI

What to do if you have a heart attack on your legs? The best thing to do is to immediately consult a doctor with suspicious symptoms, which will give you a better chance of minimizing damage to your health, and sometimes even saving your life.

For the patient, the fact of early diagnosis is very important, since a heart attack suffered on the legs may not cause complications immediately, and serious disturbances in the functioning of the heart and vascular system will appear only after about a month.

To determine the presence of a microinfarction you will need to do:

• ECG (with its help you can quickly detect an existing microinfarction or the threat of its occurrence);
• biochemical blood test (markers are detected indicating necrosis of cardiac muscle tissue);
• ultrasound examination of the heart.

Consequences of myocardial infarction on the legs

The consequences of a heart attack suffered on the legs will be more severe the more time passes from the moment of this incident.

In the first hours after a heart attack, changes occur in the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Thus, blood pressure drops significantly, and in the patient this is expressed in nausea, headache, and vascular spasms.

Remember what consequences a heart attack on your legs has Firstly:

• minor heart rhythm disturbances;
• pulmonary edema;
• tear of the myocardial wall;
• the appearance of blood clots in blood vessels;
• pulse disturbances;
• thromboembolism;
• sudden hypotension;
• heartbreak.

But a heart attack suffered on the legs can also have long-term consequences in men and women:

• embolism (blockage of blood vessels with broken pieces of blood clots or other particles);
• decreased contractility of the heart;
• circulatory disorders;
• thrombosis;
• severe cardiac arrhythmia, which can only be restored with long-term drug therapy;
• protrusion and thinning of the myocardial wall;
• myocardiosclerosis, leading to deformation of the heart valves;
• cardiosclerosis;
• the occurrence of blood clots;
• An aneurysm is a scar formed in the affected area, incapable of contractile functions, which can gradually fill with blood clots and burst at any time.

There is one more unpleasant moment that threatens a heart attack suffered on the legs - if there was no timely consultation with a doctor, then the risk of a second heart attack increases many times over. Such combined necrosis very rarely remains without consequences, being accidentally discovered during a routine medical examination. An attack of myocardial infarction suffered on the legs provokes the development of relapses.

Treatment of hidden MI

Having discovered a hidden myocardial infarction, the doctor chooses tactics to restore the patient’s vital functions, taking into account the extent of the lesion and the severity of its consequences. The recovery process is long, its goal is to return the person to the maximum possible opportunity to lead a normal lifestyle.

Medicines

• In inpatient settings, latent MI is treated with drugs from the group of thrombolytics and those that restore normal blood flow in the aorta. Doctors strive to administer a clot-dissolving drug as early as possible. It is better for this to happen during the first hour, which is called the “golden” hour.
• Drugs are then injected into the bloodstream to slow down the heart, thereby reducing the heart's need for oxygen, causing starved cells in the affected area to become more viable.
• To prevent blood clots, anticoagulants are administered to prevent blood clotting.
• As a last resort, they resort to surgery.

Lifestyle

During the subsequent rehabilitation of the patient, an integrated approach is used, including:

• prescribed course of pharmaceuticals;
• diet;
• physical therapy.

With the help of long-term special physical exercise The patient's blood pressure and pulse can be normalized. The body recovers better if a person walks, swims, or works on an exercise bike. You need to give up smoking and excess alcohol.

The diet should consist of vegetables, fruits, seafood, lean meat, cereals, and wholemeal bread. You will have to give up fatty, smoked and salty foods, even fatty dairy products.

The patient should regularly check his blood pressure and pulse, and take the tablets at the prescribed dosage. You should also consult your doctor about additional use of traditional medicine.

After a microinfarction, a person will be able to return to full life in about six months, although even then heavy physical activity will be contraindicated for him.

Relapse Prevention

All prevention here is aimed at correcting the lifestyle of the patient who has suffered an MI. Here are the rules that medical experts recommend following:

• get rid of bad habits of smoking and alcohol abuse;
• drink at least 2 liters of water daily;
• have moderate physical activity every day;
• avoid situations that provoke stress and nervous stress;
• strive, whenever possible, to eat the “right” food - without excess cholesterol, which provokes growth atherosclerotic plaques and increasing the likelihood of relapse;
• monitor your weight, and if it is excessive, think about reducing it, since obese people are much closer to another heart attack;
• be sure to control blood pressure, the rise of which seriously threatens the heart;
• correctly combine the alternation of work and rest.

Myocardial infarction suffered on the legs can have very serious consequences. In order not to expose their lives to such danger, people should not ignore chest pain. The sooner signs of a heart attack are detected and qualified help is called, the greater the chances of avoiding the most severe consequences.

Have you or your family experienced an MI suffered on the legs? How and how early did you identify it? Tell your story in the comments - maybe it will help other readers!