THE CAUSES OF HEART ATTACK
The onset of heart attack is a result of a portion of cardiac muscle having necrosis, which is caused by an obstruction of a coronary artery through artherosclerosis, a thrombus or spasm. Heart attack often occurs when the flow of oxygen-rich blood to a section of the heart muscle becomes blocked which is mostly a result of coronary heart disease (NIH, 2012).
According to National Institutes (NIH), Coronary heart disease is a condition that is as a result of a waxy substance, known as plaque that builds up inside the coronary arteries (NIH, 2012) and according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a heart attack occurs when a section of the heart muscle dies or gets damaged due to reduced supply of oxygen-rich blood (CDC, 2012). Heart attack is often referred to as a …show more content…
The blockage harms part of the heart muscle because it is no longer getting oxygen from the blood. Most heart attacks are caused by a blood clot, which blocks one of the coronary arteries (Emedicinozone, 2010). Occasionally, a heart attack can be caused by a spasm or tightening of the coronary artery.
Coronary arteries are blood vessels that aid in supplying the heart muscles with oxygen-rich blood (NIH, 2012). In a Coronary Artery Disease, the coronary arteries, narrow inside and harden due to build up fatty materials known as plaque. This will eventually lead to a decrease in blood flow to the heart muscle (Skyschally, Schulz, & Heusch, 2008).
When the plaque cracks or breaks up, a blood clot forms on the surface of the plaque. The clot (thrombus) overtime, will completely block the flow of blood in the artery. A heart attack will happen once the flow of blood is blocked and a part of the heart muscle is damaged (as seen in the diagram below). Once the heart is damaged, the heart will not be able to pump blood throughout the body (Delmonte, 2007). (NIH,
The onset of heart attack is a result of a portion of cardiac muscle having necrosis, which is caused by an obstruction of a coronary artery through artherosclerosis, a thrombus or spasm. Heart attack often occurs when the flow of oxygen-rich blood to a section of the heart muscle becomes blocked which is mostly a result of coronary heart disease (NIH, 2012).
According to National Institutes (NIH), Coronary heart disease is a condition that is as a result of a waxy substance, known as plaque that builds up inside the coronary arteries (NIH, 2012) and according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a heart attack occurs when a section of the heart muscle dies or gets damaged due to reduced supply of oxygen-rich blood (CDC, 2012). Heart attack is often referred to as a …show more content…
The blockage harms part of the heart muscle because it is no longer getting oxygen from the blood. Most heart attacks are caused by a blood clot, which blocks one of the coronary arteries (Emedicinozone, 2010). Occasionally, a heart attack can be caused by a spasm or tightening of the coronary artery.
Coronary arteries are blood vessels that aid in supplying the heart muscles with oxygen-rich blood (NIH, 2012). In a Coronary Artery Disease, the coronary arteries, narrow inside and harden due to build up fatty materials known as plaque. This will eventually lead to a decrease in blood flow to the heart muscle (Skyschally, Schulz, & Heusch, 2008).
When the plaque cracks or breaks up, a blood clot forms on the surface of the plaque. The clot (thrombus) overtime, will completely block the flow of blood in the artery. A heart attack will happen once the flow of blood is blocked and a part of the heart muscle is damaged (as seen in the diagram below). Once the heart is damaged, the heart will not be able to pump blood throughout the body (Delmonte, 2007). (NIH,