Is heart health at risk? 5 main causes of heart attack
This is a serious condition in which the blood flow to the heart muscle is obstructed and oxygen is not available. The main factors that lead to this are:
Atherosclerosis: Fat and cholesterol build up in the arteries that supply blood to the heart (coronary arteries). This obstruction causes the blood flow to stop completely and leads to a heart attack.
High blood pressure (High BP): Long-term high blood pressure hardens the arteries and damages their walls. This puts more pressure on the heart, increasing the risk of an attack.
Smoking and drug use: The harmful chemicals in tobacco damage blood vessels and increase the risk of blood clots. In addition, the reduced oxygen levels in the blood in smokers make the heart work harder.
Diabetes and obesity: High blood sugar levels can damage blood vessel health. Obesity also increases the heart’s workload and increases cholesterol, which doubles the risk of heart attack.
Stress and lack of exercise: High blood pressure can cause damage to the heart when you’re stressed. A sedentary lifestyle can weaken the heart muscle and lead to fat accumulation.
