Q. Why nose and mouth bleeding after dieing from myocardial infarction?

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Answered by Secondmedic Expert

Nose and mouth bleeding after death from myocardial infarction (heart attack) is a phenomenon known as postmortem lividity. It is caused by the pooling of blood in the dependent parts of the body, such as the nose and mouth due to gravity. After a person dies, their circulation stops, and hence there's no pumping action to move blood throughout the body. This causes stagnant or pooled blood, which can give rise to a characteristic reddish-purple discoloration in certain areas of the body like the nose and mouth.

The exact amount of bleeding will vary depending on how long after death it occurs, but generally speaking, it's usually not an excessive amount—just visible streaks or patches on certain areas where more pronounced prominence exists due to anatomical structure. In addition, if multiple attempts at CPR were made before the person's passing, these efforts could have contributed to the features being present at the time of death. CPR may have helped facilitate greater levels of oxygen delivery while temporarily boosting cardiac activity before ultimately ceasing altogether upon expiration.

Postmortem changes like these are a natural part of the body's transition after death, and while they may appear alarming, they are common and do not necessarily indicate an underlying medical emergency or further intervention. Understanding postmortem changes is an essential aspect of forensic medicine and can provide valuable information during medical investigations. If you have concerns about this phenomenon in a specific case, consulting a qualified medical professional or a forensic expert can provide a more comprehensive explanation based on the individual's medical history and circumstances.