A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle is interrupted. The main reasons behind this condition, which is seen in many people today, regardless of age, are:
High blood pressure (Hypertension): Increased blood pressure weakens the walls of the arteries leading to the heart and makes them stiff. This causes blood flow to be obstructed and increases the risk of heart attack.
Cholesterol and blockage in the arteries: An increase in bad cholesterol (LDL) in the blood leads to the accumulation of fat (plaque) in the heart arteries. This narrows the arteries and increases the risk of blood clots.
Diabetes: Excessive blood sugar levels damage the nerves and blood vessels leading to the heart over time. People with diabetes often experience a silent attack when they have a heart attack.
Smoking and alcohol: Smoking reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood and increases the heart rate. This damages the blood vessels. Excessive alcohol consumption also reduces the strength of the heart muscle.
Mental stress and lack of exercise: Excessive stress increases hormones like adrenaline in the body and puts an excessive workload on the heart. And lack of physical activity leads to obesity and heart disease.
