A heart attack is caused primarily by the sudden interruption of blood supply to the heart, which leads to damage or death of heart muscle due to lack of oxygen. The main cause of this blockage is coronary heart disease (CHD), where coronary arteries become clogged with fatty deposits called plaques. When a plaque ruptures, a blood clot forms at the site, blocking the artery and triggering a heart attack.
Causes of Heart Attack
- Coronary heart disease: Build-up of plaques in coronary arteries limits blood flow.
- Plaque rupture: When plaques burst, clots form that block blood flow.
- Coronary artery spasms: Sudden tightening of an artery can stop blood supply.
- Other rare causes: Anomalous coronary arteries, spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), coronary artery embolism, or tears in arteries.
- Lack of oxygen (hypoxia): Severe oxygen deprivation in the blood can also harm the heart.
Risk Factors
- Smoking, high-fat diet, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, inactivity.
- Age (men 45+, women 55+), family history, stress, drug use.
- Other medical conditions like metabolic syndrome, autoimmune diseases, and pregnancy-related complications.
In essence, a heart attack most often results from blocked coronary arteries due to plaque buildup and clotting, damaging the heart muscle due to oxygen deprivation and loss of blood flow.
