Most cases of heart attacks are triggered by an abrupt interruption in the blood supply to the heart. Just like with other organs and tissues in the body, the heart requires a steady supply of oxygenated blood. If this supply is disrupted, the heart muscles might end up damaged and start to die.
If treatment is delayed, the heart muscles are subjected to irreversible damage. If a substantial part of the heart is damaged in this manner, the heart will cease to beat (cardiac arrest), thus resulting to death.
What is coronary heart disease?
Coronary heart disease is one of the main causes of heart attacks. This is a condition in which the coronary arteries are blocked with deposits of cholesterol or plaques. In an event of a heart attack, one of the plaques ruptures which causes a blood clot to develop at the area of rupture.
The clot can clog up the supply of blood that travels via the coronary arteries up to the heart, thus initiating a heart attack.
What are the risk factors?
It is important that you are familiar with the possible risk factors for coronary heart disease.
Smoking
Nicotine and carbon monoxide can strain on the heart, thus forcing it to work faster. They also increase the risk for blood clots. There are also chemicals present in cigarette smoke that can impair the lining of the coronary arteries. Those who smoke face a higher risk for developing heart disease.
Diet
A diet high in saturated fat can cause an increase in the level of cholesterol which increases the risk of coronary heart disease and heart attacks.
High blood pressure
If the blood pressure is not properly controlled, it can lead to the weakening of the coronary arteries which puts them at high risk for coronary heart disease. An individual with high blood pressure is at high risk for heart attacks.
Diabetes
The high levels of blood glucose linked with type 1 and 2 diabetes can damage the coronary arteries. This makes an individual at high risk to coronary heart disease.
Lack of exercise
If an individual lacks exercise, it is linked to an increased risk for being overweight or obese as well as having an elevated blood pressure.
Overweight or obese
Being obese or overweight does not directly heighten the risk for heart attacks, but can lead to related factors that do. Those who are overweight or obese have a high risk for developing high blood pressure, have higher cholesterol levels and high risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
Other risk factors include alcohol consumption, age, gender, ethnicity and family history as well as exposure to air pollution.
Uncommon causes of heart attacks
- Misuse of drugs – stimulants such as cocaine, amphetamines and methamphetamines can trigger the constriction of the coronary arteries, thus limiting the flow of blood and initiating a heart attack.
- Hypoxia or lack of oxygen in the blood
- Aneurysm (weakness in the blood vessel wall)