What causes a heart attack?
A blockage in the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle can lead to a heart attack. A blockage is caused by a buildup of plaque. This is called atherosclerosis. Plaque is made up of deposits, cholesterol, and other substances. When
a plaque breaks (ruptures), a blood clot quickly forms. The blood clot is the actual cause of the heart attack.
Who is at risk for a heart attack?
A heart attack can happen to anyone. But certain factors can raise your risk for one. Some of these factors you can’t change. Others you may be able to manage through lifestyle changes and medical care.
You may be at higher risk for a heart attack if you:
- Have high blood pressure
- Have low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, or high levels of triglycerides.
- Have a family history of heart disease. This is especially true if the heart disease started before age 55.
- Are older in age. Generally, men are at risk at a younger age than women. After menopause, women are equally at risk.
- Have diabetes.
- Smoke, including chewing tobacco and electronic cigarettes (vaping)
- Are under a lot of stress
- Drink too much alcohol or use illegal drugs
- Are not active
- Are overweight
- Eat a diet high in saturated fat and low in fiber
What are the symptoms of a heart attack?
Each person may have slightly different symptoms of a heart attack. But these are the most common symptoms:
- Severe pressure, fullness, squeezing, pain, or discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes
- Pain or discomfort that spreads to the shoulders, neck, arms, or jaw
- Chest pain that gets worse
- Chest pain that doesn't get better with rest or by taking nitroglycerin
- Chest pain that happens along with any of these symptoms:
- Sweating
- Cool, clammy skin or paleness
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness or fainting
- Unexplained weakness or fatigue
- Fast or irregular pulse
Chest pain is the key warning sign of a heart attack. But it may be confused with other conditions. These include heartburn, pleurisy, and pneumonia. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
How is a heart attack diagnosed?
If you or someone you know has any of the warning signs for a heart attack, act right away. Call 911 or your local emergency number. Don’t drive yourself to the hospital or emergency department if you think you are having a heart attack.
Diagnosing a heart attack often happens in an emergency department. There, a healthcare provider will ask you about your health history and do a physical exam. You may also need some tests, such as:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG). This test checks the electrical activity of your heart. It can find signs of a heart attack.
- Blood work. These tests can find certain proteins that the body may make during a heart attack.
- Coronary angiography. During this test, a tiny plastic tube (catheter) is put into an artery in your groin or arm. It's moved to the heart while monitored with fluoroscopy (video X-ray). X-ray dye (contrast medium) is then
put into your coronary arteries. Special X-rays (angiograms) are then taken. They show how well blood is flowing through your heart and blood vessels. The test can find blockages in an artery.
How is a heart attack treated?
The goal of treatment for a heart attack is to ease pain, restore blood flow to the coronary artery, preserve the heart muscle function, and prevent death. Treatment may include:
- IV (intravenous) therapy. Medicines such as nitroglycerin and morphine are given through a tube into a vein.
- Oxygen therapy. This treatment can give the damaged heart muscle more oxygen.
- Pain medicines. These can decrease the workload and oxygen demand of the heart.
- Cardiac medicine such as beta-blockers. These can help the heart muscle rest, prevent an irregular heartbeat and decrease heart rate and blood pressure.
- Fibrinolytic therapy. Medicine is given by IV to dissolve the blood clot, restoring blood flow.
- Antithrombin or antiplatelet therapy with aspirin or clopidogrel. This is used to prevent more blood clotting.
- Medicines that lower cholesterol, particularly LDL cholesterol. These include medicines such as statins. Newer medicines called PCSK9-inhibitors are for people with inherited high cholesterol. Ask your healthcare provider
if these medicines can help prevent a heart attack.
