Heart Attack Causes and Symptoms

A heart attack, also known as myocardial infarction, occurs when the blood flow to the heart is blocked, causing damage to the heart muscle.
This blockage is often caused by a blood clot that forms in a coronary artery, which supplies blood to the heart.

Coronary artery disease (CAD): The buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries, which can lead to blockages.
Blood clots: Form in the coronary arteries, blocking blood flow to the heart.
Other factors: High blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, and family history.

Chest pain or discomfort: Often felt in the center of the chest, but can also be felt in the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
Shortness of breath: Feeling like you can't catch your breath or feeling winded even when sitting still.
Cold sweats: Breaking out in a cold sweat, even if you're not hot or exercising.
Lightheadedness or dizziness: Feeling like you might pass out.
Fatigue: Feeling extremely tired or weak, even after resting.
Palpitations: Irregular heartbeat or feeling like your heart is racing.
Coughing or wheezing: If you're experiencing heart failure, you may cough or wheeze due to fluid buildup in the lungs.

Electrocardiogram (ECG): Measures the heart's electrical activity to detect signs of a heart attack.
Blood tests: Check for elevated levels of certain enzymes, such as troponin, which are released when the heart muscle is damaged.
Imaging tests: Such as echocardiograms or coronary angiograms, which can show the extent of the damage to the heart.

Medications: To dissolve blood clots, reduce pain, and lower blood pressure.
Angioplasty: A procedure to open blocked coronary arteries using a balloon or stent.
Thrombectomy: A procedure to remove blood clots from the coronary arteries.
Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG): A surgical procedure to bypass blocked coronary arteries.

Lifestyle changes: Quitting smoking, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy diet.
Managing risk factors: Controlling high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
Medications: Taking medications as prescribed to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

A heart attack occurs when the blood flow to the heart is blocked, causing damage to the heart muscle, also known as myocardial infarction.
Blockage is often caused by a blood clot that forms in a coronary artery, which supplies blood to the heart.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries, leading to blockages.
Blood clots form in the coronary arteries, blocking blood flow to the heart.
Other factors contributing to heart attack include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, and family history.

Chest pain or discomfort is often felt in the center of the chest, but can also be felt in the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
Shortness of breath is a feeling of being unable to catch your breath or feeling winded even when sitting still.
Cold sweats, lightheadedness, or dizziness may occur.
Fatigue is feeling extremely tired or weak, even after resting.
Palpitations are irregular heartbeat or feeling like your heart is racing.
Coughing or wheezing may occur due to fluid buildup in the lungs in cases of heart failure.

Electrocardiogram (ECG) measures the heart's electrical activity to detect signs of a heart attack.
Blood tests check for elevated levels of certain enzymes, such as troponin, released when the heart muscle is damaged.
Imaging tests, such as echocardiograms or coronary angiograms, show the extent of the damage to the heart.

Medications dissolve blood clots, reduce pain, and lower blood pressure.
Angioplasty is a procedure to open blocked coronary arteries using a balloon or stent.
Thrombectomy is a procedure to remove blood clots from the coronary arteries.
Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a surgical procedure to bypass blocked coronary arteries.

Lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy diet, can help prevent heart attacks.
Managing risk factors, such as controlling high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, is important.
Taking medications as prescribed to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels can also help prevent heart attacks.