As a cardiac specialist with extensive experience in diagnosing and treating heart conditions, I can explain the differences between a STEMI and a non-STEMI heart attack. STEMI, which stands for ST-elevation myocardial infarction, is a type of heart attack that occurs when there is a complete blockage of a coronary artery. This blockage is 100%, meaning no blood flows through the artery to the part of the heart muscle it supplies. The lack of oxygen and nutrients causes the heart muscle to die, which is why it's considered a medical emergency. The diagnosis of STEMI is typically confirmed by an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), which shows a characteristic pattern of elevated ST segments. Non-STEMI, on the other hand, is a heart attack that is usually caused by a severely narrowed artery, but the artery is not completely blocked. There is still some blood flow, albeit reduced, through the artery. This type of heart attack is less severe than a STEMI but still requires immediate medical attention. The ECG in non-STEMI cases does not show the ST segment elevation that is seen in STEMI cases. In summary, the key differences are: 1. Completeness of Blockage: STEMI involves a complete blockage, while non-STEMI does not. 2. Severity: STEMI is generally more severe due to the complete blockage. 3. ECG Findings: STEMI is characterized by ST-segment elevation on ECG, whereas non-STEMI does not show this pattern. read more >>

A STEMI or ST-elevation myocardial infarction is caused by a sudden complete (100%) blockage of a heart artery (coronary artery). A non-STEMI is usually caused by a severely narrowed artery but the artery is usually not completely blocked. The diagnosis is initially made by an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG).read more >>