Heart Attack & Coronary Artery Disease

Heart attack, also known as myocardial infarction, happens when the flow of blood that brings oxygen to a section of your heart muscle becomes blocked. When your heart can’t get enough oxygen, the heart muscle will begin to die if blood flow is not restored quickly. A heart attack is not equivalent to cardiac arrest, which occurs when the heart unexpectedly stops beating. However, a heart attack can cause sudden cardiac arrest. Heart attacks are very common. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 800,000 people in the United States have a heart attack each year. Many heart attacks are caused by coronary artery disease.

Coronary artery disease affects the larger arteries on the surface of the heart. The disease is often caused by cholesterol, a waxy substance that builds up inside the lining of the coronary arteries forming plaque. This buildup can partially or totally block blood flow in the large arteries of the heart.

Another type of heart disease, called coronary microvascular disease, affects the tiny arteries in the heart muscle. Coronary microvascular disease is more common in women.

To learn more about Heart Attacks and Coronary Artery Disease, please visit the links in the menu on the left. There you will find detailed information about various diagnoses, their causes and risk factors, as well as prevention, screening and treatment options.