Heart Attack
Caused when our heart cells die from a lack of oxygen, a heart attack requires immediate medical attention to prevent severe heart damage and death.
The leading cause of death among Americans, a heart attack, also called a myocardial infarction (MI), often results from coronary artery disease, the most common form of heart disease to affect adults.
Coronary artery disease, which can develop over years, is caused when a fatty substance called plaque builds up in the arteries and restricts the supply of blood and oxygen to our hearts. The plaque can eventually cause a blood clot to form on its surface, which can completely block the flow of oxygenated blood to our hearts. If blood flow isn’t restored quickly, the heart muscle begins to die.
See your doctor immediately if you feel pressure or a squeezing sensation in your chest, neck, jaw, shoulders, back or arms, especially if it’s accompanied by sweating, nausea, vomiting, or shortness of breath.
Recently Answered
- Q How can I recover from a heart attack?
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Depending on the extent of your heart attack, you may only be in the hospital a few days. But your recovery is just beginning. Start making changes in your life now to reduce your risk of having another heart attack. Eat healthful meals, be more... Full Answer
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- Q Who experiences “broken heart,” or takotsubo syndrome?
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Medical science is confirming what people seem to have known intuitively: emotional stress can break your heart. This condition is called takotsubo syndrome, or “broken heart syndrome.” Takotsubo is a name given to the syndrome by... Full Answer
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- Q Is it safe to have sex after a heart attack?
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Dr. Michael Roizen, Internal MedicineWorrying about sex after a heart attack can be harder on the heart than having sex. Sex reduces stress and reducing stress (and having a great partner with whom you enjoy life) helps reduce heart-stopping belly fat. That's one reason why sex... Full Answer
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- Q Can I have a heart attack from a broken heart?
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Dr. Sarah LoBisco, Integrative MedicineYou can literally have a heart attack from a broken heart. Perhaps it’s that major stressors seem more unbearable without adequate support systems in place. This increase in stress catcholamines may increase heart rate and inflammation. According... Full Answer
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- Q Is it possible to have a heart attack and not know it?
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Some heart attacks occur with mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. Symptomless heart attacks are called “silent heart attacks.” Many people mistake heart attacks with mild symptoms for heartburn or nausea. These heart attacks can be... Full Answer
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- Q Could angioplasty cause a heart attack or stroke?
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- Q What is creatine kinase (creatine phosphokinase)?
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Creatine kinase, also called CK or creatine phosphokinase or CPK, is a blood enzyme. Tests for CK and the fraction CK-MB are used to confirm the existence of heart muscle damage and are used as rapid detection of a heart attack. Full Answer
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- Q What is coronary occlusion (coronary thrombosis)?
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Coronary occlusion, also called coronary thrombosis, is an obstruction of a coronary artery that hinders blood flow to some part of the heart muscle. Such an obstruction causes a heart attack. Full Answer
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- Q What's the basic problem behind a heart attack?
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When high blood pressure makes your heart work too hard, it contributes to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), the basic problem behind a heart attack. This narrowing and hardening of the arteries builds up over years. This is the same process... Full Answer
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- Q How can I tell the difference between a heart attack and other pain?
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Dr. Dede Bonner, Health EducationIndigestion can be a burning pain, and angina is severe chest pain. Both may feel like a heart attack, but neither is likely to spread to other parts of the body. Pain shooting down your arms, especially if you don’t normally suffer from... Full Answer
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