Heart Attack
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A heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, occurs when blood flow decreases or stops to a part of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle. The most common symptom of a heart attack is chest pain or discomfort. Other symptoms can include shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, and pain in the back, neck, jaw, or arms.
Causes of a Heart Attack
A heart attack is caused by a blockage in one or more of the coronary arteries. These arteries supply blood to the heart muscle. The blockage is usually caused by a buildup of plaque, which is made up of cholesterol, fat, calcium, and other substances. Plaque can narrow the arteries and reduce blood flow to the heart.
Risk Factors for a Heart Attack
There are a number of risk factors for a heart attack, including:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Physical inactivity
- Family history of heart disease
- Age (over 45 for men, over 55 for women)
- Male gender
- African American race
Some of these risk factors can be controlled, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking. Others, such as age, gender, and race, cannot be controlled.
Symptoms of a Heart Attack
The most common symptom of a heart attack is chest pain or discomfort. The pain is often described as a pressure, squeezing, or burning sensation. It may be accompanied by shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, and pain in the back, neck, jaw, or arms.
Not everyone who has a heart attack experiences chest pain. Some people may have other symptoms, such as:
