NSTEMIsta

NSTEMIsta is a term sometimes used informally to refer to an individual experiencing a Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI). An NSTEMI is a type of heart attack where there is damage to the heart muscle, but the electrocardiogram (ECG) does not show the characteristic ST-segment elevation that is typically seen in a STEMI (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction). Despite the absence of ST elevation on the ECG, NSTEMI indicates a blockage in a coronary artery, leading to reduced blood flow and oxygen supply to a portion of the heart muscle.

Symptoms of an NSTEMI can vary but often include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, pain radiating to the arm, jaw, or back, nausea, and sweating. These symptoms may be less severe or different from those of a STEMI. Diagnosis of an NSTEMI relies on a combination of the patient's symptoms, ECG findings, and blood tests that detect cardiac biomarkers, such as troponin, which are released into the bloodstream when heart muscle is damaged.

Treatment for an NSTEMI aims to restore blood flow to the heart muscle, reduce the heart's workload, and prevent further heart damage or complications. This typically involves medications such as aspirin, antiplatelet drugs, anticoagulants, and beta-blockers. In some cases, procedures like angioplasty with stenting or coronary artery bypass surgery may be necessary to open blocked arteries. The term "NSTEMIsta" itself is not a formal medical classification but rather a colloquial descriptor that highlights the patient's condition.