Causes of Heart Attack

Introdution

Causes of heart attack has various factors. Risk factor increases when more than one factor increases.

Age

It is very obvious that the younger one is having less risk than elder people.

Between third and fourth decade
(30-40yrs) is having highest possibility.

But the statistics shows in recent years number of cases are increasing in second decade also(20-30rs)


sex
Most of the people thinking that men only having the higher risk for heart attack.

But statistics shows women or equally suffer from heart attack.

Woman before menopause(cessation of menstrual cycle) is having some protective mechanism.

The secretion of a hormone called estrogen gives protection to the heart.

After that the risk is equal lent to that of male.

Woman with heart attack is mis diagnosed in number of cases.

Because heart attack symptoms in women are different from men.

Even experienced doctors also considering the "chest pain" as a main symptom.


Family History
Genetic factor also a factor in causes of heart attack.

Studies show around 40% of case of heart attack are genetic related and run in families.

Environmental factors has 60% in the role of heart attack.


Atheroscrerosis
Formation plaques in the blood vessels known as "Atheromas".

It undergoes series of abnormal interaction with blood platelets and monocytes causes abnormal collection of cell, fat and debris. It is known as Atherosclerosis.

The major risk factors for atherosclerosis are

increased LDL(low density lipo proteins),

decreased HDL(high density lipo proteins),

smoking,

hypertension and diabetes

It is the main factor in the causes of heart attack.

It causes Stroke when it is formed in the brain vessels.

Smoking
Smoking causes increase need of oxygen heart muscle and decreased blood supply and there by producing angina(chest pain).

Smoking plays a major role in the formation atherosclerosis and there by heart attack.

Quitting of smoking significantly reduces the incidence of heart attack within 5 to 6 months

Hypertension

Increase in blood pressure and heart attack precipitation also having significant ratio in the formation of heart attack.
Increase in blood pressure of both systole(upper reading) and diastole(lower reading) is also a main cause of heart attack.

Increased blood pressure causes increase in the size of left ventricle(left lower chamber of heart) leads to increased pressure in that chamber and decreased function of heart causes heart attack..


Cholesterol

Cholesterol is the number one culprit.

The increased level of cholesterol and heart attack is much more common than any other factors.
Increased cholesterol level LDL-bad cholesterol (more than 125mg/dl)is significant factor for heart attack.

In human physiological system has symptoms for every disease except high cholesterol level.

So it is advisable to do blood examination for cholesterol for once in 5 years after the age of 20.

Causes of heart attack also includes level of Physical Activity
People those who are having good physical work are less vulnerable than who are having less physical work. Type "A" personalities (professionals, aristocrats) are having less physical work than mental work, increases the incidence. So it is better to have exercise regularly.

Diabetes
Diabetes increases the process of arteriosclerosis in heart blood vessels and increases the possibility.

Patient who are suffering from diabetes and heart attack precipitation should be watched carefully.

Because diabetes patient may not have chest pain in attack(silent heart attack symptoms) is also a high risk factor in treating the diabetic heart attack patients.


Obesity
Obesity obviously shows all risk factors in the causes of heart attack.


Obesity indicates less physical activity and increased fat intake leads to hypertension and high cholesterol. So obesity is a very good indicator for heart attack.


Alcohol
As per studies daily intake of small amount of alcohol increases the production of HDL(High density lipo proteins-good cholesterol).

HDL is having heart protecting action.

But no body knows which is the optimum amount of alcohol to consume.

Consumption alcohol regularly even in small quantity causes other problems in our body.


Dietary Factors
Non vegetarians and heavy diet intake increases the formation of atherosclerosis and thereby heart attack.

Vegetables and fruits are having high level of vitamins and minerals(anti oxidants) are giving protection to heart.


Mental Stress
People with high level of mental work than physical, getting anger frequantly,less social and financial security,unfavourable work place and family circumstances are precipitating factors of heart attack.


Anemia
Decreased level of Iron(Hb)in the blood reduces the oxygen carrying capacity of blood and thereby myocardial ischemia and heart attack.


Hypothyroidism
Decreased secretion(Thyroxin) of thyroid gland is known as hypothyroidism.

This condition facilitates hyperlipidemia.

Thyroid gland may be enlarged(goitre).

Usually patients are suffering from angina(chest pain).

Treatment with thyroxin decreases the pain clinically.


Peripheral vascular Disease
Atherosclerosis in the peripheral(hands and legs) blood vessels increases the chance for heart attack.


Conclusion
Learn how to prevent heart attack by reducing risk factors and causes of heart attack.

Return from causes of heart attack to heart attack symptoms