Acute Myocardial Infarction Diagnosis Criteria

Characteristic Chest Discomfort — The presentation may vary and doesn't always resemble classic angina. Some individuals experience chest pressure or shortness of breath. Atypical symptoms include discomfort in the neck, jaw, or teeth, often accompanied by sweating and persistent symptoms lasting more than 30 minutes without relief.

Distinctive ECG Changes — A key indicator in diagnosing heart attack is the presence of ST-segment elevation on an electrocardiogram (ECG), which reflects damage to the heart muscle.

Elevated Cardiac Biomarkers in Blood Tests — When symptoms suggest a heart attack, blood tests are used to measure levels of cardiac markers such as troponin or creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB). Elevated levels indicate injury to the heart tissue.

Differentiating From Other Conditions

It is important to distinguish myocardial infarction from other conditions like viral myocarditis, which can present with similar symptoms. Clinical evaluation, including the presence of typical cardiac symptoms and a history of recent viral illness such as upper respiratory infection, flu-like symptoms, or gastrointestinal issues, can aid in accurate diagnosis.

Gold Standard for Diagnosis

The definitive diagnostic method for heart attack is emergency coronary angiography, which can reveal complete blockage of a coronary artery along with the presence of a blood clot in the affected area. This procedure is crucial for confirming the diagnosis and guiding immediate treatment decisions.