Many people wonder what causes a heart attack? In this article we will look at the two main causes of heart attack. These are coronary heart disease and coronary artery spasm.
Coronary Heart Disease- The Main Culprit
The majority of heart attacks are caused by coronary heart disease. Coronary heart disease occurs when the coronary is blocked, stopping vital oxygen and blood from reaching the heart. This is when most heart attacks occur.
The coronary arterie is respoinsible for bringing oxygen rich blood to the heart muscle. Coronary heart disease begins with the build-up of a wax type substance called plaque. This has a medical term called atherosclerosis. This build up could occur quickly or over many years.
The condition that could lead to a heart attack can occur when an area of plaque breaks off inside the artery. This can cause the start of a blood clot build up which can block off the blood supply to the heart through the coronary artery.
If blockage occurs then it must be treated quickly or the suffer risks bad damage to the heart or death. As the heart begins to die, healthy tissue will be replaced by scar tissue. Depending how severe and fast it is treated the damage can minimal, severe or deadly.
Coronary Artery Spasm- The Less Common Killer
A coronary artery spasm is a less common cause of a heart attack. It refers to a severe spam which leads to a squeezing of the coronary artery and therefore a blockage. Like coronary heart disease, this causes a blockage of oxygen rich blood which should be heading to the heart. It can also occur in coronary arteries which have not gone through the build up of plaque.
This type of heart attack is more of a mystery that coronary heart disease and it is not always clear what can cause the spasm. However here are some common explanations:
- Severe emotional stress and pain
- Cigarette smoking
- Extreme cold
- Drugs, for example cocaine