Heart Attack

A heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, is a serious medical emergency that occurs when the blood supply to a part of the heart is blocked. This can occur when a blood clot forms in one of the coronary arteries, which supply the heart with oxygen-rich blood. Without the oxygen-rich blood, the heart muscle begins to die. Heart attacks can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, and sweating. If left untreated, a heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest, which can be fatal. Heart attacks are most commonly caused by a buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries, which can be the result of poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, and high blood pressure. Treatment may involve medications, lifestyle changes, and surgical procedures such as angioplasty, stenting, and bypass surgery.