Altered mental status
Elderly patients are an especially susceptible population when it comes to myocardial infarction. Some of them have a silent myocardial infarction and often go unrecognized. However, 20% of patients older than 85 years old would have an altered mental status as a result of heart attack consisting of severe lethargy, confusion, and other manifestations of the central nervous system. These patients have a poor prognosis and higher mortality rates, which is why it is important to detect cognitive changes in the elderly and immediately look for medical assistance to attend their case.
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A heart attack is an absolute emergency, and it causes irreversible damage to the heart tissue. Therefore, if you have a suspicion about your symptoms, do not delay your diagnosis and go straight to your doctor. Anxiety and nervousness do not help if you have a heart attack, so keep your cool as much as possible and look for urgent medical attention.