Final answer:
A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, is a serious condition that requires immediate treatment. Administering supplemental oxygen, aspirin, and nitroglycerine are part of the immediate treatments for MI. Longer-term treatments may include thrombolytic agents, angioplasty and stents, bypass surgery, or coronary replacement with a donor heart or assist device.
Step-by-step explanation:
A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow stops to a part of the heart causing damage to the heart muscle and the death of myocardial cells. Immediate treatments for MI include administering supplemental oxygen, aspirin that helps to break up clots, and nitroglycerine administered sublingually (under the tongue) to facilitate its absorption. Longer-term treatments may include injections of thrombolytic agents, balloon angioplasty and stents, bypass surgery, or coronary replacement with a donor heart or coronary assist device. The mechanism of nitroglycerine is not fully understood but is believed to involve the release of nitric oxide, which is a vasodilator and relaxes the smooth muscle in coronary vessels.