Heart attack treatment available online

As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) pointed out, coronary artery disease is the most common cause of heart attacks in the United States. This happens when a cholesterol-containing substance called plaque gets deposited and builds up inside the arteries (also known as atherosclerosis), narrowing the arteries and reducing blood flow to parts of the heart muscle. Eventually, if a plaque breaks open inside the artery, it causes blood clot formation on the plaque's surface. A large blood clot is capable of blocking blood flow to the heart.

Myocardial infarction in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease (also known as MINOCA) is due to other causes related to conditions of the heart and blood vessels:

• Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) begins when a tear forms inside the coronary artery. The torn tissue or a blood clot that forms at the tear can block your artery. SCAD can be brought about by pregnancy, stress, or extreme physical activity.

• A coronary artery embolism happens when a blood clot circulating around your bloodstream gets stuck in the coronary artery and blocks blood flow.

• A coronary artery spasm is a sudden and serious coronary artery contraction that can block blood flow through your artery. People who smoke and engage in drug (e.g. cocaine) use are at high risk for coronary spasms.

These are the risk factors that are beyond your control and cannot be changed, including:

• Sex: Males tend to have a higher risk of heart attack than females. Males also tend to have heart attacks earlier in life than females.

• Age: Age is a significant risk factor. The risk for heart disease is higher in older people. According to the American Heart Association, the majority of coronary heart disease fatalities are 65 or older.

• Genetics: Your risk for heart disease or attack is higher if your family history consists of family members with heart diseases or attacks.

• High blood pressure: High blood pressure makes the heart work harder, making it become stiffer and function abnormally. High blood pressure increases your risk of a heart attack.

• High blood cholesterol: High blood cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease and attack. However, note that total cholesterol is a sum of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ("good cholesterol"), and triglycerides. Generally, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ("bad cholesterol") is suitable for heart health. But high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol with high triglycerides levels is associated with atherosclerosis and increases the risk for heart attack.

• Obesity: Obese and overweight adults are at high risk for heart disease and attack. Maintain a healthy weight to reduce your risk.

• Diabetes: Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease and attack; manage diabetes to reduce your risk.

• Sedentary lifestyle: Sedentary people are at higher risk for heart disease, so exercise regularly to reduce your risk.

• Cigarette smoking: Smokers are at higher risk for developing coronary heart disease than nonsmokers, so stop smoking to reduce your risk.

• Alcohol abuse: High levels of alcohol consumption can increase blood pressure and raise the risk for heart disease.

• Stress: There seems to be a correlation between extra stress and coronary heart disease risk.

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the following are the warning signs of attack:

• Chest pain or discomfort in the center or left side of the chest

• Rapid or irregular heartbeat

• Profuse sweating for no reason

• Nausea and vomiting

• Shortness of breath even when resting

• Light-headedness or sudden dizziness

• Feeling fatigued for no reason

The following are the warning signs of an attack:

• Chest pain or discomfort in the center or left side of the chest

• Rapid or irregular heartbeat

• Shortness of breath even when resting

• Profuse sweating for no reason

• Feeling fatigue for no reason

• Light-headedness or sudden dizziness

• Nausea and vomiting

Heart disease

Cardiac arrest