What Occurs During a Heart Attack?
In the body, the heart is the primary muscle of the cardiovascular system. Its job is to pump blood through the body. The blood supply is carried by the coronary arteries which deliver nutrients and oxygen to other vital areas in order to keep the body functioning properly. Red blood cells provide the oxygen while White blood cells fight against infections.
When a person is healthy, the artery walls are smooth and uniform in thickness, however, as time goes on, a high level of cholesterol circulates, causing fatty deposits called plaque to accumulate on the interior walls of the arteries.
As this plaque forms on the arterial wall, the artery becomes narrow and less able to be as flexible as it should be to function properly. When this build up occurs in the coronary arteries it is referred to as Coronary Artery Disease or CAD. Coronary artery disease is caused by atherosclerosis which is the narrowing and inflexibility of the arteries as mentioned earlier.
When these fatty deposits block blood flow to the heart, a heart attack becomes a risk. If the coronary artery is blocked 90% or more, the risk for a heart attack event becomes even greater. Finally, if the coronary artery is completely blocked, a heart attack is eminent.
The development of a blood clot can also increase the risk for a heart attack. It is common for a crack to develop at the site of the plaque buildup. Blood can coagulate, or clump, at the site of the crack forming a blood clot. This blood clot, or thrombus, can grow to totally block blood flow and cause a myocardial infarction.
The location of the blockage and the amount of time it takes to receive treatment determine how much damage the heart will sustain during an attack. The longer it takes to receive proper medical care, the more damage the heart will endure. The good news is that atherosclerosis can be prevented, thus lowering the risk for enduring a heart attack event.
The disease process can be slowed in progression by simple lifestyle changes. For example, losing excess weight, quitting smoking, starting a low fat, low cholesterol diet and regular exercise. These simple tasks can lower your risk for this disease.
In an ideal world everyone would get complete instructions and education on how to reduce their risk factors for heart disease, but due to shortened hospital stays this is not always possible. Take the time to educate yourself to stay healthy. - 17274
When a person is healthy, the artery walls are smooth and uniform in thickness, however, as time goes on, a high level of cholesterol circulates, causing fatty deposits called plaque to accumulate on the interior walls of the arteries.
As this plaque forms on the arterial wall, the artery becomes narrow and less able to be as flexible as it should be to function properly. When this build up occurs in the coronary arteries it is referred to as Coronary Artery Disease or CAD. Coronary artery disease is caused by atherosclerosis which is the narrowing and inflexibility of the arteries as mentioned earlier.
When these fatty deposits block blood flow to the heart, a heart attack becomes a risk. If the coronary artery is blocked 90% or more, the risk for a heart attack event becomes even greater. Finally, if the coronary artery is completely blocked, a heart attack is eminent.
The development of a blood clot can also increase the risk for a heart attack. It is common for a crack to develop at the site of the plaque buildup. Blood can coagulate, or clump, at the site of the crack forming a blood clot. This blood clot, or thrombus, can grow to totally block blood flow and cause a myocardial infarction.
The location of the blockage and the amount of time it takes to receive treatment determine how much damage the heart will sustain during an attack. The longer it takes to receive proper medical care, the more damage the heart will endure. The good news is that atherosclerosis can be prevented, thus lowering the risk for enduring a heart attack event.
The disease process can be slowed in progression by simple lifestyle changes. For example, losing excess weight, quitting smoking, starting a low fat, low cholesterol diet and regular exercise. These simple tasks can lower your risk for this disease.
In an ideal world everyone would get complete instructions and education on how to reduce their risk factors for heart disease, but due to shortened hospital stays this is not always possible. Take the time to educate yourself to stay healthy. - 17274
About the Author:
Barb Hicks is a licensed registered nurse who loves to share her knowledge about Women Heart Attack. She has an online classroom at Clivir.com where you can find more of her articles about Heart Disease Atherosclerosis Treatment.
posted by X - Men at
2:04 AM
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