Cause of Heart Attack

1. Cause of Heart Attack

This is the definition of a heart attack. It's also known as myocardial infarction (MI), which means death to part of your heart muscle caused by a clot blocking blood flow, among other things.
When there isn't enough blood, the heart muscle cells can be damaged--even destroyed.
To prevent and treat them early, it is necessary to understand the causes of heart attacks.

Heart attacks are caused by atherosclerosis, which is marked by the accumulation of fatty deposits cholesterol, and other materials in artery walls.
The plaques that form these buildups can constrict blood flow to the heart muscle by narrowing arteries.
The risk factors for atherosclerosis can be divided into two categories: modifiable and non-modifiable.
Atherosclerosis is a chronic disease, and it often takes years to develop.

1.2 Non-modifiable Risk Factors

Age: The chances of having a heart attack increase with age in those over 65.
Gender: Generally, compared to premenopausal women men have a higher risk of heart attacks. But after menopause, women are more at risk.
Genetics/Family History: Having close family members with a history of heart disease makes an individual's own risk higher.

Smoking: The chemicals in smoke from tobacco can damage blood vessels and cause less oxygen to reach the heart.
High Blood Pressure: High blood pressure means working the heart harder, further raising atherosclerosis risk and thickening arterial walls.
High Cholesterol: Excessive "bad" cholesterol, or low-density lipoprotein (LDL), can aggravate artery plaque.
Obesity: Abdominal obesity in particular increases the risk for high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes.
Physical Inactivity: No regular exercise results in diabetes, high blood pressure, and other cardiovascular risk factors.
Unhealthy Diet: Atherosclerosis results from eating diets low in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains with high levels of cholesterol, trans fats and sodium.

Plaque Rupture: Even atherosclerosis, which sets the stage for a heart attack can have specific acute triggers that speed up the process. Atherosclerotic plaques can become unstable and rupture, spilling blood into the inner core. It can lead to blood clots which may in turn partially or completely stop the supply of blood through coronary arteries.
Coronary Artery Spasm: The abrupt constriction or tightening of the coronary arteries can cause a heart attack by lessening blood flow.
Drug Use: Some drugs, amphetamines, and cocaine, for example, cause blood vessel constriction and increase the risk of heart attacks.
Emotional Stress: Severe emotional stress or strenuous physical activity may even induce heart attacks in people already suffering from hardening of the arteries.

But the symptoms of a heart attack can differ; in addition to pain or discomfort radiating from the arms, neck, jaw, and back up to the left arm (or tingling), there may be nausea as well as shortness of breath.
It's important to watch for these warning signs and seek emergency treatment asap.

Preventing heart attacks depends on adopting a lifestyle friendly to the heart and reducing modifiable risk factors.
To this end one must quit smoking, maintain an ideal weight with daily exercise; reduce stress in life, and limit the intake of sodium, cholesterol, and saturated fats. Examples of preventive care include routine physical examinations, regular blood pressure and cholesterol monitoring, and control of diseases such as diabetes.

Since heart attacks are caused by atherosclerosis, most of which is due to non-modifiable risk factors, the focus should be placed on reducing these.
Knowing these factors is crucial to prevent a heart attack and maintain good general cardiovascular health.
Early and prompt symptom recognition and treatment can help heart attack victims.