Heart attack and its causes

Full Answer Section

• Blood clot formation: A blood clot can suddenly block a coronary artery, even if there's minimal plaque buildup. This can be triggered by factors like high blood pressure, smoking, or irregular heartbeats.
• Severe coronary spasm: In rare cases, a sudden, severe constriction of a coronary artery can temporarily block blood flow and cause a heart attack.

1. Blockage: A coronary artery becomes blocked by plaque buildup or a blood clot.
2. Reduced Blood Flow: Blood flow to the heart muscle is significantly reduced or completely cut off.
3. Oxygen Deprivation: The heart muscle starts to be deprived of oxygen, leading to cell damage and death.
4. Chest Pain and Symptoms: This lack of oxygen causes chest pain, pressure, or discomfort, which is a classic symptom of a heart attack.
5. Potential Damage: The longer blood flow is blocked, the greater the damage to the heart muscle. This can lead to heart failure, irregular heartbeats, or even death.

Sample Answer

A heart attack, also medically known as a myocardial infarction, occurs when there's a blockage in the coronary arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the heart muscle. This blockage cuts off blood flow, causing damage or death to the heart tissue.

Here's a breakdown of the causes and process:

Causes of a Heart Attack:

• Coronary artery disease (CAD): This is the leading cause of heart attacks. It happens when fatty deposits (plaque) build up inside the coronary arteries, narrowing the passage for blood flow.