What are the risks of myocardial ischemia, and how can it be managed?
Mar 13, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, the hazards of myocardial ischemia may include triggering angina pectoris, affecting cardiac function, causing arrhythmias, inducing heart failure, and increasing the risk of sudden death. It can be managed through lifestyle adjustments, dietary regulation, emotional management, medication, and regular check-ups. If any discomfort occurs, timely medical attention is recommended.
Generally, the risks of myocardial ischemia may include triggering angina, impairing cardiac function, causing arrhythmias, inducing heart failure, and increasing the risk of sudden death. It can be managed through lifestyle modifications, dietary adjustments, emotional management, medication, and regular checkups. If experiencing any discomfort, timely medical consultation is recommended. Detailed explanations are as follows:
I. Risks
1. Triggering Angina
Mild myocardial ischemia may lead to an imbalance between oxygen supply and demand in the myocardium, causing angina pectoris. This manifests as sudden chest pain behind the sternum or in the precordial area, often induced by physical exertion or emotional excitement, causing physical discomfort and affecting quality of life.
2. Impairing Cardiac Function
Persistent myocardial ischemia weakens myocardial contractility and reduces the heart's pumping function. Over time, the heart cannot effectively supply blood to the body, leading to symptoms such as dyspnea and fatigue, reducing exercise tolerance, and affecting daily activities.
3. Causing Arrhythmias
Myocardial ischemia may cause abnormal electrical activity in myocardial cells, leading to arrhythmias such as ventricular premature contractions and atrial premature contractions. Patients may experience palpitations, and severe cases may disrupt normal cardiac rhythm and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
4. Inducing Heart Failure
As myocardial ischemia worsens, myocardial cells gradually degenerate and necrotize due to hypoxia, being replaced by fibrous tissue. Cardiac systolic and diastolic functions are severely impaired, eventually progressing to heart failure, with symptoms such as edema and congestion.
5. Increasing Risk of Sudden Death
Severe myocardial ischemia can severely disrupt the heart's electrical activity, causing malignant arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation or extensive myocardial infarction, leading to cardiac arrest and sudden death, seriously threatening health.
II. Management
1. Lifestyle Modifications
Maintain a regular schedule, avoid staying up late, and ensure 7-8 hours of sleep daily. Engage in moderate physical activities such as walking, jogging, or practicing tai chi, but avoid strenuous exercise. Quit smoking, limit alcohol consumption, and reduce cardiovascular stimulation.
2. Dietary Adjustments
Follow a low-salt, low-fat diet, consume more fresh fruits and vegetables such as spinach and apples, and increase dietary fiber intake. Limit fat consumption, reduce intake of animal offal and fried foods, and eat more foods rich in unsaturated fatty acids, such as fish and nuts.
3. Emotional Management
Maintain a calm mindset and avoid emotional fluctuations. Stress can be relieved through listening to music, meditation, or communicating with friends, thereby reducing myocardial oxygen consumption caused by emotional changes.
4. Pharmacological Treatment
Under a physician's guidance, anti-myocardial ischemia medications such as aspirin tablets, atorvastatin calcium tablets, and metoprolol succinate extended-release tablets may be taken to improve myocardial blood supply.
5. Regular Checkups
Regularly perform electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiography to monitor myocardial ischemia and cardiac function changes, allowing physicians to adjust treatment plans according to disease progression.
Maintain a positive attitude in daily life, and if discomfort occurs, seek timely medical attention and treatment.
