>A heart attack occurs when an artery that sends blood and oxygen to the heart is blocked. Fatty, cholesterol-containing deposits build up over time, forming plaques in the heart's arteries. If a plaque ruptures, a blood clot can form. The clot can block arteries, causing a heart attack. During a heart attack, a lack of blood flow causes the tissue in the heart muscle to die.
[Source](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-attack/symptoms-causes/syc-20373106)
A heart attack is a medical emergency where the blood supply to the heart is blocked. It can be caused by a blocked artery or broken blood vessel that can result in a sudden weakening of the heart muscle. The consequence is that some sections of your heart stop functioning effectively, which reduces its ability to pump blood throughout your body. If left untreated, this condition can lead to a severe drop in blood pressure and also fainting, arrhythmia, and even death. Unfortunately, not many people are fully aware about what a heart attack really means and how they can prevent it from happening. Yet, it’s not something that should scare you; by knowing these some things about heart attack you will know how to prevent it and live a healthy life.
### What does a heart attack feel like?
A heart attack happens when blood flow to your heart muscle is reduced or completely stopped. It can lead to serious and even fatal conditions if it’s not treated in time. Although there are many symptoms that you can observe if you’re experiencing a heart attack, not all of them are severe enough to be noticed. That’s why sometimes people don’t realize they’re having a heart attack even though they feel something is wrong. Some of the most common symptoms include
- chest pain or discomfort,
- shortness of breath,
- dizziness,
- sweating,
- nausea,
feeling like you’re about to faint, and feeling like you’re having a heart attack when it’s not the case. You should keep in mind that these symptoms can vary from one person to another. What’s more, the intensity of these symptoms may also differ from one person to another.
### Cardiac arrest vs. heart attack – what’s the difference?
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[Image Source](https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/about-heart-attacks/heart-attack-or-sudden-cardiac-arrest-how-are-they-different)
A heart attack and cardiac arrest are two different heart conditions. While a heart attack is the interruption of blood flow to the heart muscle, cardiac arrest occurs when the electrical impulses that are responsible for controlling the heart’s beating are disrupted. When this happens, the heart isn’t pumping blood to the rest of your body, which can cause death. A heart attack and cardiac arrest can happen to anyone at any age. What’s more, they can occur at any time, even during sleep. A heart attack and cardiac arrest have several key differences in terms of symptoms, risk factors, and approaches to treatment. A heart attack occurs when an artery is completely blocked, preventing blood from flowing to the heart muscle. A heart attack can lead to death if it’s not treated quickly.
[Reference](https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/medical/heart-attack-and-cardiac-arrest)
### The importance of knowing your risk factors:
Knowing your risk factors is crucial if you want to prevent a heart attack. There are certain factors that can increase the risk of developing heart disease or having a heart attack, such as
- being overweight or having a high body fat percentage,
- having high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, not exercising enough,
- smoking,
- having diabetes
- chronic kidney disease.
If you’re diagnosed with one or more risk factors, you must talk to your doctor about what you can do to reduce your chances of having a heart attack in the future. They will be able to offer you advice on how to control your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and other factors that can lead to heart disease.
[Reference](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/abcs-of-knowing-your-heart-risk)
### How you can prevent a heart attack:
The best way to prevent a heart attack is to make healthy lifestyle changes that can reduce your risk of developing heart disease. These changes include eating a healthy diet, being physically active, and quitting smoking. You can also take certain medications if you have other underlying heart conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and diabetes. Besides these factors, there are other ways to prevent a heart attack as well. You should never ignore the early signs of a heart attack, and instead, you should seek immediate medical attention. If you want to avoid having a heart attack, you must know your family history and be aware of your risk factors.
[Image Source](https://healthlibrary.askapollo.com/how-to-prevent-heart-attack/)
### Conclusion:
A heart attack is a serious medical condition that can lead to death if it isn’t treated in time. A heart attack happens when blood flow to your heart muscle is reduced or completely stopped. You can reduce your risk of having a heart attack by making healthy lifestyle changes. It’s important to know the early signs of a heart attack so you can seek immediate medical attention.
*Some Reference:*"
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-attack/symptoms-causes/syc-20373106
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/about-heart-attacks/heart-attack-or-sudden-cardiac-arrest-how-are-they-different
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/medical/heart-attack-and-cardiac-arrest
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/abcs-of-knowing-your-heart-risk
https://healthlibrary.askapollo.com/how-to-prevent-heart-attack/
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