A heart attack, medically known as a myocardial infarction, occurs when the flow of blood to a part of the heart muscle is severely reduced or completely blocked. This blockage is usually caused by a buildup of fatty deposits, cholesterol, and other substances in the coronary arteries, a process called atherosclerosis. Sometimes, a plaque in these arteries ruptures, leading to the formation of a blood clot that blocks blood flow. Without sufficient blood flow, the affected heart muscle begins to die due to lack of oxygen
. The main cause of heart attacks is coronary artery disease, where the arteries supplying blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked. Less commonly, heart attacks can be caused by a sudden spasm of a coronary artery or a lack of oxygen in the blood
. Symptoms of a heart attack vary but commonly include chest pain or discomfort (which may feel like pressure, tightness, squeezing, or aching), pain spreading to the shoulder, arm, back, neck, jaw, or upper belly, cold sweat, fatigue, nausea, shortness of breath, and lightheadedness. Women may experience atypical symptoms such as neck, arm, or back pain or unusual fatigue. Some heart attacks occur suddenly without warning, while others are preceded by symptoms such as recurring chest pain (angina)
. A heart attack is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment to restore blood flow and prevent permanent heart damage or death. If untreated, the damaged heart muscle can impair the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively, potentially leading to heart failure or cardiac arrest
. In summary, a heart attack is a serious condition where the heart muscle is damaged due to blocked blood flow, most often caused by coronary artery disease, and it requires urgent medical attention
