causes of heart attack

Causes of heart attack

The main cause of a heart attack is a blockage in the coronary arteries, the blood vessels that supply your heart with blood. This blockage is most commonly caused by a buildup of plaque, a fatty substance that can harden and narrow the arteries.

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Plaque buildup in coronary arteries

Here's a more detailed explanation of the causes of heart attack:

• Coronary artery disease (CAD): This is the underlying cause of most heart attacks. CAD is a condition in which the coronary arteries become narrowed or blocked by plaque buildup. The plaque buildup can be caused by a number of factors, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, and obesity.

• Blood clot: When a plaque ruptures, it can cause a blood clot to form at the site of the rupture. The blood clot can then block the artery, preventing blood from flowing to the heart muscle.

• Severe spasm of a coronary artery: In some cases, a severe spasm of a coronary artery can cause a temporary blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle. This can trigger a heart attack, although it is less common than a blockage caused by plaque buildup.

Other less common causes of heart attack include:

• Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD): This is a tear in the inner lining of a coronary artery. SCAD can block blood flow to the heart muscle and trigger a heart attack.
• Coronary artery embolism: This is a blockage in a coronary artery caused by a blood clot or other debris that travels to the artery from another part of the body.