Final answer:
The most common symptom of a myocardial infarction (heart attack) is chest pain or discomfort, known as angina pectoris, with other symptoms including difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, sweating, and fainting. Not all heart attacks present with these symptoms; some may occur without any noticeable signs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most common symptom of myocardial ischemia and infarction, or heart attack, is chest pain or discomfort, often described as angina pectoris. This pain is frequently characterized as a sensation of pressure or tightness and may radiate to the shoulder, arm, back, neck, or jaw.
Sometimes this pain might be mistaken for heartburn. However, not everyone experiences chest pain: between 22 and 64 percent of myocardial infarctions may be silent, meaning they present without any symptoms. It's important to recognize other potential symptoms such as difficulty breathing (dyspnea), irregular heartbeat (palpitations), nausea and vomiting, sweating (diaphoresis), anxiety, and fainting (syncope).
Myocardial infarction occurs due to the complete blockage of the coronary arteries leading to the death of cardiac muscle tissue. This is often caused by the buildup of plaque, a mixture of lipids, cholesterol, and other substances. The plaque can rupture or a clot can form, completely obstructing the flow of blood to an area of the heart. Additionally, symptoms can vary by gender, with women having different or less typical presentations compared to men, which in the past led to misdiagnoses.