What happens during a heart attack? In most cases there are a complex range of warning signs that explain that something is wrong within the heart. The correct medical name for a heart attack is a myocardial infarction. The myocardium is the muscle tissue of the heart, and during an attack the blood supply to the heart is affected causing cardiac arrest. This means that the heart seizes and stops pumping blood around the body. In most cases a blood clot obstructs the flow of blood to the coronary artery and actually kills off part of the heart. This can cause a shortage of oxygen to the brain which can result in a stroke, and it can be fatal. Men are more likely than women to get heart disease, and having high cholesterol increases your chances.
So now you know what happens inside the heart but you are still asking what happens during a heart attack? You might be more interested in the symptoms so that you can identify an attack for yourself or others. In most cases the signs of a heart attack are similar to the signs of extreme stress. They can include a sensation of pressure in the chest or shortness of breath and extreme acute pain around the chest area. So chest pains are a sign that something is very wrong. A prickling or tingling sensation can travel down the left arm, which can also become extremely painful. Many people collapse when having an attack because of the pain they feel. If you experience these symptoms you should seek medical attention immediately.
Although men are more likely than women to get heart disease, women can get it. The likelihood that you will have high cholesterol is partly linked to your diet and partly linked to your genetic make-up. The best things you can do to protect your body are eat healthily, including a low-cholesterol diet, and exercise regularly. It is important to know the signs to protect yourself. If you don’t know the signs then who will know what happens during a heart attack?