A heart attack is a condition in which blood flow to the heart muscle is blocked and the muscle is damaged. The main cause of this is the accumulation of fat in the arteries, which blocks blood flow. Other causes are:
High blood pressure and cholesterol: When blood pressure increases, the heart has to work harder. In addition, bad cholesterol (LDL) accumulates on the walls of the blood vessels and forms ‘plaque’, which causes blood flow to be obstructed.
Smoking and drug use: The nicotine in tobacco narrows the blood vessels and reduces the amount of oxygen. This increases the risk of blood clots.
Diabetes and obesity: High blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels. Obesity increases the pressure on the heart and doubles the risk of heart disease.
Lack of exercise and stress: Lack of physical activity reduces the heart’s ability to function. In addition, chronic stress can raise blood pressure and lead to heart attack.
Heredity and age: If someone in your family has had heart disease at a young age, you are genetically at risk. As you age, your arteries become stiffer, which increases your risk.