During a myocardial infarction, what are the physiological reasons for the following clinical manifestations? a) Hypertension (in a MI that does not result in cardiac arrest) b) Di... During a myocardial infarction, what are the physiological reasons for the following clinical manifestations? a) Hypertension (in a MI that does not result in cardiac arrest) b) Diaphoresis c) Cool, clammy skin d) Nausea e) Fever
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the physiological reasons behind various clinical manifestations that occur during a myocardial infarction. It requires an understanding of the body's response to a heart attack and how each of the listed symptoms relates to underlying physiological changes in the body during this event.
Answer
Hypertension, diaphoresis, cool skin, nausea, and fever are related to stress responses, sympathetic activation, vagal stimulation, and inflammation during MI.
a) Hypertension during a myocardial infarction (MI) may be due to the body's stress response, releasing catecholamines that increase heart rate and vasoconstriction. b) Diaphoresis (sweating) can occur as part of the sympathetic nervous system response to decreased cardiac output. c) Cool, clammy skin results from peripheral vasoconstriction due to sympathetic activation. d) Nausea might result from the vagus nerve being stimulated, as well as metabolic changes from decreased oxygen supply. e) Fever can occur due to inflammation and the release of cytokines following cardiac cell death.
Answer for screen readers
a) Hypertension during a myocardial infarction (MI) may be due to the body's stress response, releasing catecholamines that increase heart rate and vasoconstriction. b) Diaphoresis (sweating) can occur as part of the sympathetic nervous system response to decreased cardiac output. c) Cool, clammy skin results from peripheral vasoconstriction due to sympathetic activation. d) Nausea might result from the vagus nerve being stimulated, as well as metabolic changes from decreased oxygen supply. e) Fever can occur due to inflammation and the release of cytokines following cardiac cell death.
More Information
A myocardial infarction can trigger the body's fight-or-flight response, heightening sympathetic activity that causes several physiological changes. The inflammation from cardiac cell necrosis can lead to fever.
Tips
A common mistake is not recognizing the role of the sympathetic nervous system in the acute stress response during a myocardial infarction, which contributes to several of these symptoms.
Sources
- Heart Attack: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment - Cleveland Clinic - my.clevelandclinic.org
- Heart attack - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic - mayoclinic.org
AI-generated content may contain errors. Please verify critical information
