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Cardiac Conditions

Basics of the Heart
Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)
Coronary Artery Disease
Arrhythmias
Heart Failure
Cardiomyopathy
Valvular Heart Disease
Pericarditis

Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)

Also known as: MI or heart attack

A myocardial infarction occurs when a major vessel that supplies blood to the heart (called the coronary artery) is blocked.

Over the course of time, inflammatory and fatty substances in the body stick to the artery walls forming what is called a plaque (learn about Coronary Artery Disease). When a piece of this plaque is broken off, a clot (called the thrombus) is formed. This can create a blockage in the artery which causes that portion of the heart tissue to be cut off from oxygen. Lack of oxygen to the heart tissue causes damage or death to the affected area.

One may experience different symptoms depending on the amount of blockage (complete or partial). The extent of the damage to the heart determines the severity of the heart attack. If a large portion of the heart is affected this can cause a decrease in the ability of the heart to pump blood out to the rest of the body. This can cause damage to other organs as well due to a lack of blood flow.

Nutshell: Blockage of coronary artery → oxygen & nutrients cannot reach affected portion of the heart → affected tissue is damaged → Heart Attack symptoms

Blockage of the coronary artery due to plaque rupture

  • Complete blocks often cause STEMIs (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction) or heart attack
  • Partial blocks can cause angina (chest pain due to decreased blood flow) or NSTEMIs (Non ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction), which is another form of a heart attack.

Note: Not everyone may experience all symptoms. Symptoms may vary based on the individual and gender. If you notice any of the symptoms for longer than 5 minutes, please call 911 immediately.

Women – are more likely to have the “uncommon” symptoms along with the classic symptoms. Some might not experience any symptoms at all.

Men – typically experience classic symptoms but may experience less noticeable symptoms. Some might not experience any symptoms at all.

Learn More

  • Stress
  • Smoking or the use of other tobacco products
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Eating a diet low in fruits and vegetables
  • High LDL (bad cholesterol)
  • Low HDL (good cholesterol)
  • High blood pressure

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https://www.cardiosmart.org/docs/default-source/assets/infographic/women-and-heart-disease.pdf?sfvrsn=d82ddd1b_2