Heart diseases continue to be a major public health concern in most countries around the world. Typically, heart diseases have several classifications, and one of the most common classifications is ischemic heart disease (IHD).
This category of heart diseases is further divided into infarction and heart attack. Although these two conditions have numerous similarities, they also have several differences. This article will focus on the three key differences between infarction and heart attack.
Definition
Infarction is a medical complication that results when the body tissue receives insufficient blood flow due to clogged arteries. This condition can affect numerous organs in the body, including the kidneys, intestines, and muscles.
On the other hand, a heart attack is a critical condition that occurs when the blood supply to the heart is interrupted. This interruption causes the heart muscles to die due to insufficient blood flow.
Cause
The key difference between infarction and heart attack is the cause of the complications. As previously mentioned, infarction occurs when the body tissue receives inadequate blood supply hence leading to tissue death.
The primary cause of infarction is the blockage or the narrowing of arteries that supply blood to the tissue. In contrast, a heart attack occurs when the blood supply to the heart muscle is blocked. The leading cause of a heart attack is the buildup of cholesterol, fats, or other substances that form plaque in the arteries that supply blood to the heart.
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Understanding the Differences Between Infarction and Heart Attack
Risk Factors
Risk factors are also a significant difference between infarction and heart attack. In cases of infarction, the risk factors are diverse and dependent on several factors.
For example, the risks and causes of kidney infarction are different from those of a lung infarction. Generally, the risk factors for infarction include age, chronic disease, consuming drugs that cause blood clots, and injecting drugs such as cocaine.
On the other hand, the risk factors for a heart attack include smoking, a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, a lack of physical activity, and obesity.
Conclusion
In summary, infarction and heart attack are life-threatening complications that have significant differences. While infarction affects numerous organs in the body, heart attacks affect the heart.
Additionally, infarction occurs when the body tissues receive inadequate blood supply, while heart attacks occur when there is a blockage of the arteries supplying blood to the heart. Lastly, the risk factors for infarction differ from those for a heart attack. Since both infarction and heart attack pose life risks, the best way to avoid them is to lead a healthy lifestyle, eat balanced diets, exercise regularly, and avoid smoking.
