How a Heart Attack HappensThe most common cause of
a heart attack is
sudden narrowing or blockage of a coronary artery, which blocks oxygen to the heart. This can happen when plaque in the coronary artery breaks and a blood clot forms in the artery. Plaque is a buildup of cholesterol, white blood cells, calcium, and other substances in the walls of arteries. Over time, plaque may narrow the artery and the artery hardens (atherosclerosis). This condition is called coronary artery disease. Plaques are covered by a fibrous cap. If a sudden surge in blood pressure occurs, if the
artery suddenly constricts, or if something else such as inflammation is
present, the fibrous cap can tear or rupture. The body tries to repair the
tear-much as it does to stop the bleeding from a cut on the skin-by forming a blood
clot over it. The blood clot can completely block blood flow through the
coronary artery to the heart muscle. This will cause a heart attack. Sometimes a blood clot that forms over a ruptured plaque may not
completely block the artery. But the clot may block blood flow enough to cause angina symptoms. These symptoms may happen with rest and may not go away with rest or nitroglycerin. These symptoms are an emergency, because
the blood clot can quickly grow and block the artery. If the blood clot
dissolves and an immediate heart attack is avoided, the body will try again over
time to repair the tear on the surface of the plaque. But this newly repaired
plaque can also be very unstable. It is more likely to rupture again, putting
you at even greater risk of a heart attack. ByHealthwise Staff Primary Medical ReviewerRakesh K. Pai, MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine Specialist Medical ReviewerStephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology Current as ofApril 3, 2017 Current as of:
April 3, 2017 Author:
Healthwise Staff Medical Review:
Rakesh K. Pai, MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology & E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine & Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology
|
|