Primary prevention for myocardial infarction

Primary prevention for myocardial infarction 

Primary prevention means preventing Cardiovascular disease before it occurs.

Primary prevention is preventing a disease from occurring. Primary prevention of CVD
includes preventing the blockage of arteries that bring blood to the heart (coronary artery
disease).

 Coronary artery disease is a complex disorder with a number of known causes. Among
these are conditions that can narrow coronary arteries with build-up of cholesterol and
cellular material.
 

Coronary arteries can be additionally narrowed, or completely blocked, by blood clots.
Complete blockage can cause a heart attack (myocardial infarction). Partial blockage can
cause cardiovascular symptoms (acute coronary syndrome, angina pectoris).
 

Prevention of blood clots in coronary arteries can be essential for primary prevention of
CVD. The use of blood-thinning drugs may be included in a comprehensive strategy for
primary prevention. Preventive strategy may also include the management of blood
cholesterol level, blood glucose level, and body weight, and physical conditioning.

On the basis of results from many studies and clinical trials, aspirin is the blood-thinning
drug most often recommended for primary prevention of CVD. The recommended
preventive dose is usually 75 to 100 mg taken daily.

Primary prevention usually requires that you take this low dose of aspirin for as long as your
physician tells you to take it—often over many years—as long as your risk factors indicate
you are at risk for CVD.

This decision is made by your physician on the basis of your medical history (your risk for
CVD and your risk for bleeding with aspirin), your family medical history (any “heart trouble”
in your family), physical examination, and results of laboratory tests