Introduction

A attack occurs when the flow of blood to the guts is blocked. The blockage is most frequently a buildup of fat, cholesterol and other substances, which form a plaque within the arteries that feed the guts (coronary arteries).
Sometimes, a plaque can rupture and form a clot that blocks blood flow. The interrupted blood flow can damage or destroy a part of the guts muscle.

Symptoms

Common heart attack signs and symptoms include:

Ø    Pressure, tightness, pain, or a squeezing or aching sensation in your chest or arms that may spread to your neck, jaw or back

Ø    Nausea, indigestion, heartburn or abdominal pain

Ø    Shortness of breath

Ø    Cold sweat

Ø    Fatigue

Ø    Lightheadedness or sudden dizziness

Causes

A attack occurs when one or more of your coronary arteries becomes blocked. Over time, a buildup of fatty deposits, including cholesterol, form substances called plaques, which may narrow the arteries (atherosclerosis). This condition, called arteria coronaria disease, causes most heart attacks.

During a attack , a plaque can rupture and spill cholesterol and other substances into the bloodstream. A blood clot forms at the site of the rupture. If the clot is large, it can block blood flow through the arteria coronaria , starving the guts of oxygen and nutrients (ischemia).

You might have an entire or partial blockage of the arteria coronaria .

Ø  A complete blockage means you've had an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Ø  A partial blockage means you've had a non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).

Risk factors

Certain factors contribute to the unwanted buildup of fatty deposits (atherosclerosis) that narrows arteries throughout your body. 

Heart attack risk factors include:

Ø    Age. Men age 45 or older and ladies age 55 or older are more likely to possess a attack than are younger men and ladies .

Ø    Tobacco. This includes smoking and long-term exposure to secondhand smoke.

Ø    High blood pressure. Over time, high blood pressure can damage arteries that lead to your heart. High vital sign that happens with other conditions, like obesity, high cholesterol or diabetes, increases your risk even more.

Ø     High blood cholesterol or triglyceride levels. A high level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol) is most likely to narrow arteries. A high level of triglycerides, a kind of blood fat associated with your diet, also increases your risk of a attack . However, a high level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ("good" cholesterol) may lower your risk.

Ø    Obesity. Obesity is linked with high blood cholesterol levels, high triglyceride levels, high blood pressure and diabetes. Losing just 10% of your body weight can lower this risk.

Ø     Diabetes. Not producing enough of a hormone secreted by your pancreas (insulin) or not responding to insulin properly causes your body's blood glucose levels to rise, increasing your risk of a heart attack.

Ø     Metabolic syndrome. This syndrome occurs once you have obesity, high vital sign and high blood glucose . Having metabolic syndrome causes you to twice as likely to develop heart condition than if you do not have it.

Ø     Family history of heart attacks. If your siblings, parents or grandparents have had early heart attacks (by age 55 for males and by age 65 for females), you might be at increased risk.

Ø     Lack of physical activity. Being inactive contributes to high blood cholesterol levels and obesity. People who exercise regularly have better heart health, including lower blood pressure.

Ø     Stress. You might answer stress in ways in which can increase your risk of a attack .

Ø     Illicit drug use. Using stimulant drugs, like cocaine or amphetamines, can trigger a spasm of your coronary arteries which will cause a attack .

Ø     A history of preeclampsia. This condition causes high blood pressure during pregnancy and increases the lifetime risk of heart disease.

Ø     An autoimmune condition. Having a condition like atrophic arthritis or lupus can increase your risk of a attack .

Prevention

It's never too late to require steps to stop a attack — albeit you've already had one. Here are ways to prevent a heart attack.

Medications. Taking medications can reduce your risk of a subsequent attack and help your damaged heart function better. Continue to take what your doctor prescribes, and ask your doctor how often you would like to be monitored.

Lifestyle factors. You know the drill: Maintain a healthy weight with a heart-healthy diet, don't smoke, exercise regularly, manage stress and control conditions which will cause a attack , such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.

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