Heart attack is a serious condition that occurs when the blood flow to the heart muscle is severely reduced or blocked. This can damage or destroy the heart muscle and lead to life-threatening complications. The most common cause of heart attack is coronary artery disease, which is the buildup of fatty, cholesterol-containing deposits called plaques in the heart arteries1. These plaques can narrow the arteries and reduce blood flow to the heart. Sometimes, a plaque can rupture and cause a blood clot to form on its surface. The clot can block the artery completely and stop blood flow to a part of the heart12.
There are other causes of heart attack that are less common but still serious. These include coronary spasm, which is a sudden and severe tightening of a heart artery that can cut off blood flow2; coronary embolism, which is a blood clot that travels from another part of the body and gets stuck in a heart artery2; and spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), which is a tear in the inner layer of a heart artery that can block blood flow2. These causes are more likely to affect women, younger people, and racial and ethnic minorities2.
Some factors that increase the risk of having a heart attack are age, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, family history, smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, stress, and lack of physical activity12. Some of these factors can be modified by making healthy lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, managing stress, and taking medications as prescribed12. However, some factors cannot be changed, such as age and genetics. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the symptoms of a heart attack and seek medical attention immediately if they occur. Some common symptoms are chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and pain or discomfort in the arm, back, neck, or jaw12.
Heart attack is a serious condition that can be prevented or treated if detected early. By knowing the causes and risk factors of heart attack, people can take steps to protect their heart health and reduce their chances of suffering from this life-threatening condition.HeartAttackAwareness
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