Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) is a sudden loss of blood supply to an area of the heart, causing permanent heart damage or death. There are different types of AMI, classified by the location of the actual event in the heart (e.g., inferior wall vs. anterior wall) or the type of changes seen on an electrocardiogram (ST elevation or non-ST elevation).
Every year, several million people in North America are diagnosed with an AMI, and approximately one-third of these patients die during the acute phase. Health Canada has identified cardiovascular disease or heart diseases as the number one killer in Canada. It is also the most costly disease in Canada, putting the greatest burden on our national healthcare system.
We can make a difference.
Prevent AMI with these seven evidence-based key care components:
Early administration of aspirin
Aspirin at discharge
Beta-blocker at discharge
Timely initiation of reperfusion (thrombolysis or percutaneous intervention)
ACE-inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blockers at discharge for patients with systolic dysfunction
Smoking cessation counselling / nicotine replacement / serotonin uptake inhibitor / referral to cardiac rehabilitation program
Statins at discharge
Download the Getting Started Kit to learn more.
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