Be alert to four warning signs of myocardial infarction and avoid three common misconceptions about coronary heart disease.

Immediately take nitroglycerin or a quick-acting heart-saving pill sublingually for chest pain: Many patients habitually place a nitroglycerin or a quick-acting heart-saving pill sublingually when experiencing chest tightness or pain, as these medications can dilate coronary arteries. However, these medications can also lower blood pressure. If a patient has an inferior myocardial infarction, often accompanied by low blood pressure, taking nitroglycerin is very dangerous. The correct approach is to measure blood pressure first, if possible. If blood pressure is not low, the aforementioned medications can be taken.

Don't assume that stent implantation solves everything: Coronary artery disease stent implantation only resolves the current lesion. The cause of the narrowing of the blood vessel, and whether it will recur, are not determined by the stent itself, but by the risk factors that cause coronary artery disease. Therefore, the more important aspect of treating coronary artery disease is controlling factors that influence atherosclerosis. Control methods include quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption, regular exercise, a light diet, and taking medication on time.

Stopping lipid-lowering medication after normal lab results: Many coronary heart disease patients stop taking lipid-lowering medication when their blood lipid levels are normal on their lab reports, which is incorrect. Lipid-lowering drugs, such as statins, not only lower blood lipids but also have anti-atherosclerotic effects, making them important for preventing restenosis and stabilizing plaques. They should be taken long-term.

These warning signs of myocardial infarction you must know: In recent years, sudden death from myocardial infarction has become increasingly common. In fact, some myocardial infarction patients experience warning signals before the event, but many people do not pay attention to them.

Four warning signs of myocardial infarction:
Angina pectoris: Many patients may take sudden chest pain seriously and seek medical attention promptly. However, if angina is atypical and manifests as toothache, neck pain, abdominal pain, left upper limb pain, etc., many patients tend to ignore it.

Note: The above symptoms are generally paroxysmal, subsiding within minutes. If these symptoms become frequent and prolonged recently, it may be angina, and there is a high possibility of acute myocardial infarction!

Frequent Palpitations: Palpitations may be due to an increased heart rate, premature contractions, or a decreased heart rate, with the heartbeat perceived as strong. If a patient with coronary artery disease suddenly experiences a rapid heart rate (especially exceeding 100 beats/minute), frequent premature ventricular contractions, or a sudden, unexplained decrease in heart rate, it may indicate worsening myocardial ischemia and a possible myocardial infarction.

Difficulty Breathing: If a patient experiences: 1. Unexplained paroxysmal difficulty breathing, commonly known as "gasping for air"; 2. Difficulty breathing worsens after activity and improves after rest; 3. Difficulty breathing worsens when lying down and improves when sitting up, these conditions all suggest recent decreased cardiac function and blood supply, increasing the risk of myocardial infarction.

Other atypical symptoms: If a patient with coronary heart disease recently experiences symptoms such as apathy, fatigue, dizziness, blurred vision, and swelling in both lower extremities, these may be distress signals from the heart and should be taken seriously; seek medical attention promptly.

How myocardial infarction forms: The culprit behind myocardial infarction is coronary atherosclerotic plaques, but these plaques do not form in a short period. Studies have found that some people develop early signs of atherosclerotic plaques in their blood vessels from adolescence. As age increases or risk factors that promote plaque progression increase, the plaques in the patient's blood vessels will grow to varying degrees, eventually leading to myocardial infarction.