ABSTRACT
Myocardial infarction is the complete blockage of one of the three main coronary arteries. A blockage will occur at the site of a narrowing and, unlike unstable angina, the blockage will be permanent unless active intervention is made. In the 1950s most patients were kept at home because there was no treatment other than pain relief for heart attacks. Those who were admitted to hospital were put on strict bed rest for six weeks and were almost unable to move a muscle. Mortality was about 40%, much of which was due to clots forming because of immobility. The remaining patients died, it was thought, from heart muscle failure.
