Pathophysiology & Management of MI vs. Sudden Cardiac Arrest Core Distinction: · Myocardial Infarction (MI): A perfusion problem—acute coronary occlusion causing ischemia/necrosis. A clinical syndrome with conscious, perfusing patients. · Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA): An electrical problem—abrupt cessation of effective cardiac output due to a malignant arrhythmia. A state of circulatory collapse. Key Pathophysiological Link: Acute MI is a critical,reversible cause of SCA, often triggering primary

–Myocardial infarction– 🫀An MI is when blood flow is limited or obstructed by plaque buildup in the coronary arteries, leading to lack of oxygen heading to the heart muscle. Without this, the heart muscle suffocates and begins to die. Symptoms of an MI are NOT always what they appear to be in the movies! This is so important to understand as a nurse. They often include chest pain, left arm radiation, nausea and vomiting, epigastric discomfort or “heartburn”, shortness of breath, diaphoresis, an