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- $Unique_ID{BRK01572}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{What Does "MI" Mean?}
- $Subject{MI heart attack Circulatory System myocardial infarctions attacks
- clogs clots spasms coronary chest pain pressure squeezing breath shortness jaw
- neck arms arm nausea electrocardiogram ECG circulation infarction clog clot
- spasm coronaries artery arteries}
- $Volume{G-3}
- $Log{
- Arrhythmias: Myocardial Ischemia*0001410.scf
- Myocardial Infarction*0005400.tid
- Anterolateral Myocardial Infarction*0005401.scf
- Anteroseptal Myocardial Infarction*0005402.scf
- Posteroinferior Myocardial Infarction*0005403.scf
- Posteroseptal Myocardial Infarction*0005404.scf
- Apical Myocardial Infarction*0005405.scf
- Anterobasal Myocardial Infarction*0005406.scf
- Posterolateral Myocardial Infarction*0005407.scf
- Posterobasal Myocardial Infarction*0005408.scf
- The Heart's Blood Supply*0008901.scf}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
-
-
- What Does "MI" Mean?
-
-
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-
- QUESTION: We know it has to do with heart attacks, but are confused by the
- term "MI" that is constantly used by the doctor. Could you help remove some
- of our anxiety by explaining just what this term means?
-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- ANSWER: MI is medical shorthand for "myocardial infarction", which in turn is
- the proper name for a heart attack. It has no secret or sinister meanings
- other than it is any easy way to talk about heart attacks. An "infarction"
- means than an area of tissue has died because its blood supply has been cut
- off and "myocardial" means the area that died was heart muscle. MIs are
- caused by clogs, clots or spasms in the coronary arteries that supply heart
- muscle with blood.
- There are several warning signs that can tell you whether an MI is
- imminent or occurring. These include discomfort or pain in the chest
- (especially a feeling of great pressure or squeezing), shortness of breath,
- pain in the jaw, neck or arms, nausea, and a cold sweat. Not everyone who has
- a heart attack has all or even any of these symptoms, but most people have at
- least some of them. If your doctor thinks you may have an MI, he or she will
- run tests, including an electrocardiogram (ECG) and certain blood tests. The
- results of these tests, along with the symptoms, should give the doctor enough
- information to make a diagnosis.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-