"Could Midnight Throat Pain Be a Warning Sign of Acute Myocardial Infarction? What Are the Early Symptoms of a Heart Attack?"

Sudden Throat Pain Turns Out to be a Sign of Acute Myocardial Infarction

When it comes to throat pain, most people consider it a sign of dryness, dismiss it as a minor issue, and delay taking medication. Recently, Mr. Yin, in his fifties, suddenly experienced throat pain in the middle of the night and was diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction. Unfortunately, he missed the optimal golden treatment window and can only rely on long-term medication. What happened?

Sudden Throat Pain Leading to Acute Myocardial Infarction

Mr. Yin didn't pay attention to his sudden throat pain, assuming it would subside the next day. However, to his surprise, the symptoms persisted for three days without improvement. He eventually sought medical attention. The doctor noted that Mr. Yin had a history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia but did not take medication regularly. Due to physical exhaustion during the National Day holiday, he was diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction. By the time he arrived at the hospital, his condition had worsened, accompanied by chest pain and cold sweats. His blood pressure dropped rapidly, necessitating immediate surgery. Since the best treatment time had passed, many blood vessels were blocked, and his heart muscle was severely affected, requiring long-term medication.

What are the Early Symptoms of Myocardial Infarction?

Mr. Yin in the news missed the optimal rescue time because he failed to recognize the symptoms of myocardial infarction promptly. What symptoms should we be vigilant about in daily life? According to Professor Liu Feng from Guangzhou First People's Hospital, when the following symptoms appear, it's crucial to be aware of the potential for myocardial infarction and seek specialist medical attention immediately:

1. Sudden Chest Pain: If chest pain symptoms worsen, increase in frequency, or duration; or if there's sudden chest pain without a previous history, these should raise high alert as they may indicate myocardial infarction, especially at night.
2. Poor Response to Medication: If you've been taking medications like nitroglycerin regularly to manage a condition and notice decreasing effectiveness, even requiring increased doses, this is also a warning sign.
3. Change in Trigger Factors: If previously, chest discomfort only occurred after strenuous exercise, but recently, there are unexplained chest pain symptoms, this could also be a signal of myocardial infarction.

Who are the High-Risk Groups for Myocardial Infarction?

The risk of myocardial infarction is significantly higher in the following individuals than in the general population:

1. Individuals who smoke more than two packs of cigarettes daily.
2. Diabetic patients.
3. Patients with high cholesterol levels detected in previous check-ups.
4. Long-term hypertensives.
5. Overweight or obese individuals with prolonged lack of exercise.

It is recommended that these individuals regularly undergo relevant medical examinations to assess their cardiovascular function and prevent myocardial infarction in a timely manner.