What can I do to reduce my angina? Avoid the four E’s: Exertion: too much physical activity Emotional stress Eating a large meal Environment: too hot or too cold Any of the four Es make your heart work harder. This means your heart needs more oxygen. If your heart does not get enough blood, angina can occur. HEART ATTACK WHAT IS A HEART ATTACK? A heart attack ( myocardial infarction ) happens when the blood flow through one or more of the coronary arteries is blocked. The blockage stops oxygen from reaching parts of the heart. Not getting oxygen is what damages that part of the heart. The faster you seek medical attention and the artery is unblocked, the less damage will be done.
A heart attack can be caused in three different ways: 1. Atherosclerosis. Plaque build-up can block a coronary artery so that little or no blood gets through. At the time of a heart attack, a small break in the plaque or a small blood clot (thrombus) often occurs. Image: iStock.com/jack0m 2. Blood clot (thrombus). Plaque is fragile and blood flow in an artery can break it open. The body tries to mend the break by making a clot. A blood clot in a coronary artery can block blood flow and cause a heart attack. Normal blood flow through healthy artery (top) and blocked blood flow in artery with yellow plaque and red blood clot (bottom). 3. Coronary artery spasm.
Sometimes coronary arteries go into spasm (squeeze closed or contract strongly, then relax). This can stop the flow of blood through the artery and can cause a heart attack. Often, the causes of spasms are not known. Understanding Your Heart And The Causes Of Heart Disease | 5