Heart attack causes are various but the main reason a heart attack begins is when the arteries of the heart become narrow. There are various risk factors to this health condition such as: diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, a family history and smoking. Heart attack causes should never be overlooked because some of those causes can be corrected or eliminated.
What is a Heart Attack?
When this health condition occurs, there are usually certain symptoms that a person experiences such as: heart pain, shortness of breath, nausea and sweating. Some say that they experience chest pain--pain that is full, tight or aching. Some, however, don't have these signs but may experience some of these symptoms: a jaw that aches, indigestion, shortness of breath, pain that is felt in the arms or shoulders, shortness of breath or nausea and vomiting. In addition, pain may also move from the chest to the neck, shoulder, jaw or back and also there may be nausea, sweating or shortness of breath. Should you experience any heart attack causes that you think are coming from your heart, especially heart pain, call 911 immediately. In addition, heart pain may be a signal that you need to see your doctor.
What Happens with a Heart Attack?
It is important to note that when this health condtion occurs, arteries that supply your heart with oxygen, will become blocked. Over a period of time, coronary arteries can become narrower when cholesterol accumulates. When this health condition occurs, a plaque can rupture and then a blood clot begins to form on the area of the rupture. If the clot is large, it can block the flow of blood. Another cause of a heart attack is when there is a spasm of a coronary artery. This shuts down the blood flow to part of the heart muscle. Cocaine is a drug that is known to cause such a spasm. A heart attack is actually finale of a process that usually takes several hours. It is also good to know that if blood flow can be brought back to normal in a reasonable time, then damage to the heart may be prevented or limited. This is just one example of heart attack causes. Heart pain can also be a symptom of this illness.
Why do Heart Attacks Occur?
Another example of heart attack causes is a condition known as a micro-vascular disease_a disease that is common in women. Also, there is another cause of this health condition and it is less known but is known as a sudden contraction "or spasm" in the coronary artery which blocks blood flow through the artery. This kind of spasm can happen in a coronary artery that has or doesn't have coronary heart disease. No one knows for sure what causes this contraction but some feel that cocaine is the main culprit. Keep in mind, too, that heart pain can also be a symptom of this illness.
Risk Factors for This Health Condition: In addition, risk factors that can lead to heart attack causes are: having high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, stress, being obese, a sedentary lifestyle and a high fat diet and little to no fresh fruits and vegetables. Also, a family history of heart disease also is a factor in heart disease. If anyone in your family has had a heart attack, you may be at risk for one, too. It is also important to note that high blood pressure runs in families. It is also important to keep in mind that a lack of physical activity often leads to high cholesterol and obesity. Those who get regular exercise tend to have stronger and healthier hearts. And, exercise is also helpful in lowering high blood pressure and lessening your chances for heart pain.
How to Avoid This Serious Health Condtion
To avoid heart attack causes do the following: if you're smoking, stop, have a healthy diet_especially increase your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, if you have diabetes, make sure to control your blood sugar, lose weight if you're overweight, and lower your stress and exercise.
