A heart attack occurs when fat accumulates in the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle and completely blocks blood flow. This condition, in which the heart muscle dies without receiving blood and oxygen, is widespread even among young people today. Here are the main reasons that lead to this:
Uncontrolled high blood pressure and cholesterol: When bad cholesterol (LDL) increases in the blood, it accumulates in the heart arteries and narrows the blood vessels (atherosclerosis). If there is high blood pressure (High BP) along with this, it puts more strain on the arteries and causes them to clog quickly.
Smoking and alcohol: Smoking is one of the biggest culprits for heart attacks. The ‘nicotine’ in tobacco constricts the blood vessels and increases the risk of blood clots. Excessive alcohol consumption can cause irregular heartbeat and increase fat.
Diabetes & Obesity: High blood sugar levels over a long period of time weaken the walls of blood vessels and accelerate fat accumulation. Diabetics are twice as likely to develop heart disease as others. In addition, excess belly fat also puts double the workload on the heart.
Severe mental stress and lack of sleep: The severe mental stress caused by today’s competitive lifestyle increases the hormones ‘cortisol’ and ‘adrenaline’ in the body. This can cause a sudden increase in BP and lead to heart failure. Lack of proper sleep at night also contributes to this.
Unhealthy diet and lack of exercise: Regular consumption of low-fiber, salty, sweet, and high-fat fast foods and bakery products containing trans fats can damage heart health. The habit of sitting in the same place without any physical exertion every day can also reduce the capacity of the heart.
