What are the Causes of Heart Attack?

What are the Causes of Heart Attack?

Heart attack occurs when one or more of the coronary arteries (blood vessels supplying blood to the heart) become blocked. It usually occurs when there is lack of a blood flow to the heart muscle.

Symptoms of heart attack

Symptoms of heart attack include chest pain or tightness, shortness of breath, light-headedness or dizziness, pain in the jaw, neck, back, or arms, irregular heartbeat, anxiety, and fatigue.

Causes of heart attack

Blockage of the coronary arteries due to clot formation is the common cause of heart attack. The fatty deposits form plaques and narrow the arteries, leading to a condition called atherosclerosis. If untreated, this condition can cause heart attack. In general, softer, earlier, unstable plaques causes the maximum number of attacks.

However, in rare cases, heart attack may occur due to embolism (blood clot formed elsewhere in the body gets trapped in the coronary artery), artery spasms, trauma, and electrolyte imbalances.

The risk factors for a heart attack are:

• Increasing age
• Gender (Men > Women)
• Family history of heart disease
• History of diabetes, obesity, or hypertension
• High cholesterol causing plaque rupture
• Smoking or tobacco use (nicotine causes coronary spasm)
• Drug abuse especially cocaine

A heart attack is a life-threatening emergency. If you suspect you or someone around you having a heart attack, call for medical help immediately.

Treatment of heart attack may range from lifestyle changes, medications, surgery, to cardiac rehabilitation, depending on the severity of the disease and the patient’s condition.