Bollywood actor Shreyas Talpade recently experienced a heart attack, following which he underwent angioplasty. Currently, he is out of danger. In recent times, there has been a rapid increase in cases of heart attacks across the country. Amidst these changing lifestyles, people are falling prey to various illnesses, with heart-related conditions causing concern. Shreyas Talpade’s recent heart attack has brought attention to the main causes and risk factors associated with heart attacks.
Lifestyle Desk, New Delhi: Due to the swiftly changing lifestyle these days, many people are becoming victims of various diseases. Diseases related to the heart are among them, causing distress to many individuals. In recent times, there has been a rapid increase in cases of heart attacks nationwide, affecting not only the elderly but also the youth. Bollywood actor Shreyas Talpade recently suffered a heart attack, and subsequently underwent angioplasty, emerging out of danger.
Notably, Brazilian gospel singer Pedro Henrique also died of a heart attack during a live performance. Such news has heightened concerns about heart health. In this article, we explore the main causes of heart attacks and some associated risk factors.
What is a Heart Attack? According to the Mayo Clinic, a heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, occurs when the artery delivering blood and oxygen to the heart is blocked. Over time, fat and cholesterol accumulate, forming plaque in the arteries. If the plaque ruptures, it can form a blood clot that may block the arteries, leading to a heart attack. During a heart attack, the lack of blood flow can result in damage to the heart muscle tissues.
Causes of a Heart Attack:
- Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): The most common cause of a heart attack is coronary artery disease, which is the most prevalent type of heart disease. It occurs when the coronary arteries supplying oxygenated blood to the heart muscles are insufficient. Often, CAD is associated with the accumulation of plaque inside the arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis.
- Small Plaque: Although small plaques cannot block blood vessels, they can damage or rupture their outer layer, leading to the formation of blood clots. These clots can obstruct blood flow in the coronary arteries.
- Coronary Artery Constriction: Sudden and severe constriction (tightening) of your coronary artery can impede blood flow, even if there is no plaque buildup. Smoking is a risk factor for coronary artery constriction, and excessive cold or highly stressful conditions can increase the likelihood of constriction.
- Coronary Artery Embolism: This occurs when a blood clot passes through the bloodstream and becomes lodged in the coronary artery, blocking blood flow. Conditions such as atrial fibrillation, thrombocytopenia, or pregnancy can increase the risk of coronary artery embolism.
- Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD): This condition happens when a tear occurs inside the coronary artery, causing blood to enter the artery wall and creating a blood clot. SCAD is associated with stress, intense physical activity, and pregnancy. It is more common in women under 50 or pregnant women with Marfan syndrome.
Risk Factors for a Heart Attack: Several lifestyle factors and medical conditions increase the risk of a heart attack, including:
- Unhealthy diet
- Lack of regular physical activity
- Smoking
- High blood cholesterol
- High blood pressure or preeclampsia (during pregnancy)
- High blood sugar or diabetes
- High blood triglycerides
- Excess weight and obesity
- Family history of heart disease
If an individual has three or more of these conditions that elevate the risk of heart disease, it is referred to as metabolic syndrome, significantly increasing the risk of a heart attack.
