Today, the increasing number of deaths due to heart attacks, even among young people, has become a major concern. A heart attack is a condition in which the ‘coronary arteries’ that supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscles become blocked and blood flow stops completely. Here are the 5 main scientific reasons behind this condition, which destroys the heart muscles if not treated on time:
Atherosclerosis (fat accumulation): This is the most important cause of heart attacks. When LDL, which is bad cholesterol, becomes excessive in the blood, it accumulates in the walls of the blood vessels to the heart as layers of fat and calcium (plaque). Over time, this layer of fat breaks and a blood clot forms there. When this clot completely blocks blood flow, a heart attack occurs.
Excessive smoking and alcohol consumption: Toxins such as nicotine and carbon monoxide in cigarettes damage the walls of blood vessels. This can cause blood vessels to narrow rapidly and cause fat to build up. Smokers are three times more likely to develop blood clots and have a heart attack than non-smokers.
Uncontrolled diabetes and high blood pressure: High blood pressure (Hypertension) puts severe strain on the arteries in the heart and makes them thicker. And constantly high blood sugar levels (Diabetes) damage the cells in the blood vessels and double the risk of blockages.
Excessive stress and lack of sleep (Chronic Stress): When there is severe mental stress, depression, and anger, the body releases hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline in large quantities. These can increase the heart rate and raise BP quickly. This can cause the fatty layers in the blood vessels to rupture quickly (Plaque rupture).
Lack of exercise and consumption of junk foods: A sedentary lifestyle, obesity, fast foods containing trans fats, bakery products, and foods high in salt can increase blood cholesterol and slowly damage the pumping capacity of the heart.
