Last Updated on January 17, 2025 by Analgesia team
STEMI Medical Abbreviation
STEMI is a medical abbreviation for ST-elevation myocardial infarction, a type of heart attack that requires immediate treatment:
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What it is
A STEMI occurs when a coronary artery that supplies blood to the heart is completely blocked, causing a long interruption to blood flow and potentially extensive heart damage.
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How it’s diagnosed
A STEMI is diagnosed when an electrocardiogram (ECG) shows specific changes, such as a consistently taller ST segment on the wave.
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Treatment
A STEMI requires urgent treatment to unblock the artery and minimize heart damage. The treatment plan depends on when symptoms started and how soon treatment is available.
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Length of stay
After a STEMI, patients typically stay in the hospital for two to five days. The length of stay depends on the severity of the heart attack, the type of treatment, and any complications.
Risk factors for STEMIs include:
- Family history of coronary artery disease
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Hypertension
- Smoking
- Obesity and metabolic syndrome
- Sedentary behavior and physical inactivity
- Chronic kidney disease
Other types of heart attacks include:
- Non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI): A heart attack where there is some loss of blood supply, but the ECG doesn’t show the same changes as a STEMI.
- Unstable angina: Symptoms of a heart attack, but tests don’t show heart damage.