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What Is Anteroseptal Infarction?
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
An anteroseptal infarction is a heart problem where part of the heart muscle dies and scars due to poor blood supply. In this case, the tissue damage is centered around the anteroseptal wall, the area between the left and right ventricles. This can be dangerous for the patient, and it is necessary to receive treatment to address the cause of the tissue death and prevent additional damage.
This condition usually occurs as a result of a partial blockage along one of the branches of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery. When the whole artery is blocked, it can cause an acute myocardial infarction, where more of the heart is deprived of blood. In the case of lesser blockages, a limited infarction can occur in a more specific region, like the anteroseptal wall. A patient with an anteroseptal infarction may not get enough blood to the rest of the body and can experience pain, pressure, and discomfort in the chest.
Patients with chest pain typically receive an evaluation with an electrocardiograph machine to look at electrical activity in the heart. If something is irregular, information from the test will show the medical professional where the problem is situated. He or she uses a number of leads and electrodes to get a complete picture of the heart. This type of infarction tends to be detectable on the first through fourth ventricular leads, and it will be readily visible to a doctor or technician reading the test and can help care providers decide how to move forward with treatment.
Sometimes, a medical professional may identify an old anteroseptal infarction. In this case, the patient experienced damage in the past but did not receive treatment for it, or did but the damage was permanent. This area of the heart muscle will not be as mobile and could contribute to irregularities in the patient's heartbeat and circulation. Other tests will show evidence of an acute infarction, which means that damage is ongoing and the patient needs treatment to stop it.
Treatment for this problem can involve medications to stimulate the heart along with procedures to address blockages and clogged arteries. The patient may need surgery to bypass a completely blocked section of artery or a stent to allow the blood can flow freely. Treatment may also involve adjustments to the patient's diet to prevent future problems. Activities like increasing physical activity levels or controlling blood pressure more effectively may also be recommended for prevention of another anteroseptal infarction.
Mary McMahon
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.
Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.
Learn more...AS FEATURED ON:
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![Electrocardiograph machine and readout.]()
By: Andrey KiselevElectrocardiograph machine and readout. -
![Stents help blood flow in blocked arteries.]()
By: London_EnglandStents help blood flow in blocked arteries. -
![An anteroseptal infarction is where part of the heart muscle dies and scars due to poor blood supply.]()
By: adimasAn anteroseptal infarction is where part of the heart muscle dies and scars due to poor blood supply. -
![An anteroseptal infarction is a heart problem where part of the heart muscle dies and scars due to poor blood supply.]()
By: stockshoppeAn anteroseptal infarction is a heart problem where part of the heart muscle dies and scars due to poor blood supply. -
![Treatment for anteroseptal infarction may include procedures to address clogged arteries.]()
By: Alexandr MitiucTreatment for anteroseptal infarction may include procedures to address clogged arteries. -
![Patients with chest pain typically receive an evaluation with an electrocardiograph machine to look at electrical activity in the heart.]()
By: Lisa F. YoungPatients with chest pain typically receive an evaluation with an electrocardiograph machine to look at electrical activity in the heart.
Discussion Comments
To kolwlgal, an infarction is the result the an MI , not a symptom. Dead muscle = infarction. Angina, with or without ischemia is a symptom and is treatable, but the actual dead tissue i.e., infarction, isn't.
I am a 58 year old woman. Thanks for this info. I am gathering info about anteroseptal infarction. My ECG records before many years ago showed that I have suffered from anteroseptal infarction, which I haven't noticed, and have no pain at all. It continues showing up every time I got my ECG. Now I have suffered from slight numbness in my left arm and during the wee hours of the night, I suddenly wake up gasping for breath. Recently, I was undergoing an angiogram/angiography to see the extent of damage of my heart considering, I am getting older. The result was there is no significant blockage in the arteries. A small amount of bad cholesterol has already formed, but can be managed by medicine and watching my food intake. Thank you so much and more power to you. God bless.
When a doctor says one is positive for stress induced ischemia, is that seen in the anteroseptal wall?
@koiwigal: It's possible to have this and never notice anything, just like it's possible to have a silent heart attack where no symptoms show and patients have no pain.
@bythewell - I'm sorry about your mother. But, she definitely did the right thing in reporting her symptoms.
I don't think people should assume that something will go wrong with their hearts though. That could lead to a lot of misery and stress which can be hard on the heart as well.
I think that people have to be somewhat willful in ignoring something like an anteroseptal infarction and it's more the norm that they are noticed and treated promptly.
I don't think people should take risks with their health, but they should be able to live their lives free from always worrying about it too.
@KoiwiGal - That's a really important message for people to take home. My mother recently happened to mention to her doctor that she'd been having heart palpations, not thinking it was anything more than just having too much caffeine.
It turned out her heart was behaving erratically, and she might have suffered a slight infarction without realizing it. If she hadn't mentioned the symptoms to her doctor in passing, they would not have known. And it is potentially dangerous. They are talking about putting in a pacemaker at some point, just to make sure her heart doesn't become any more damaged.
Really, once you get past a certain age, I think that you're better off just assuming that something will go wrong with your heart eventually and making sure that you get it checked regularly.
I think it's kind of amazing that someone can have an anteroseptal infarction and not even be aware of it, or at least, be able to ignore it enough to not see a doctor.
I guess it just goes to show that if you have pains in your chest, or difficulty breathing or whatever, you should see a doctor about it right away. Just because it hasn't completely knocked you out, doesn't mean it's not serious.
And I think with this kind of thing the sooner you get it treated the less damage is done.
And an untreated infarction would put you at more risk from a full heart attack as well.
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