What is an inferior infarct age undetermined?
An inferior infarct age undetermined is a term that refers to an infarction in the past at an unspecified time.
The cause of an infarct of the heart is a blockage of a coronary artery. In the case of an inferior infarct, the occlusion happens in the left circumflex coronary artery or the right coronary artery [1].
During an inferior infarct, the tissue in the lower part of the heart dies. It happens as a consequence of lack of oxygen and results in the end of the healing in a fibrous, garish scar.
The phrase "age undetermined" says that the inferior infarct happened in the past. It could have been an unrecognized or silent infarction.
The inferior infarcts age undetermined is diagnosed on an ECG. Among the common signs of a past inferior infarction can be pathological Q waves.
A Q wave is pathological when it is wider than 1 mm wide or 2 mm deep. Also, a Q wave that goes deeper than one-quarter of the QRS complex is pathological [2].
The occurrence of pathological Q waves in the lead III, aVF, and sometimes II indicates an inferior infarct age undetermined [3].
An ECG that shows an inferior infarct age undetermined is typically confirmed by another one. This is done to ensure the findings were not coming from a technical mistake, like wrong electrode placement [4].
Is it possible to have an infarction without knowing?
Yes, it is possible to have an infarction without knowing. Two types of infarction can happen without you noticing them.
One is the silent infarction. This type of infarction happens without any symptoms. Commonly, it is diagnosed during routine cardiological examinations. Silent infarctions account for even 25% of all myocardial infarction cases [5].
The second type of infarction that you can have without knowing is an unrecognized infarction. It presents with symptoms. However, they are mild and atypical. Therefore, this infarction is often mistaken for a harmless health condition, like one-day digestive problems.
Is an inferior infarct age undetermined dangerous?
An inferior infarct age undetermined can be dangerous. Many factors determine the potential danger of age undetermined infarctions. Among them are:
- the age of the person,
- size of the infarct,
- depth of the infarct,
- the functional impairment caused by the infarct.
These factors determine the risk of complications after the infarct.
Generally, the older the age, the higher the risk of complications [6]. ($P- Is an inferior infarct age undetermined dangerous?)
Complications of an inferior infarct age undetermined
The complications of an inferior infarct age undetermined include:
- ventricular septal rupture [6],
- pseudoaneurysm [7],
- arrythmias [8],
- thrombus formation [9],
- heart failure [10].
Should I see a cardiologist with an inferior infarct age undetermined?
Yes, you should see a cardiologist with an inferior infarct age undetermined. An expert must assess your heart and exclude any complications.
The physician will look carefully at your cardiac function. Most of the examinations that are useful in this case are non-invasive.
The tests the doctor can use to evaluate your heart are ECG, echocardiography, MRI, CT, and blood tests like NT-pro-BNP.
Visiting a cardiologist is crucial, as having one infarct increases the risk of having a new one. A cardiologist can prescribe some medication that will prevent that.
For example, a drug that can lower the risk of a new infarction is aspirin.
Additionally, the doctor can recommend some lifestyle and dietary changes. They will further lower your cardiovascular risk.
Usually, the recommendation includes:
- a low-sodium and balanced diet,
- stress management,
- reduction of alcohol,
- quitting smoking,
- regular physical activity [11].