What is a heart attack?

A heart attack is an event that results in permanent damage or death to part of the heart muscle. It is also known as a myocardial infarction. A heart attack may be the result of a number of chronic heart conditions. However, the trigger for a heart attack is often a blood clot that has blocked the flow of blood through a coronary artery. In most cases, the blood clot is linked to atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a condition that occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries, making them stiff and narrow.

Do men and women experience heart attacks in the same way?

Not necessarily. The heart attack symptoms that women get are often different from those of men. Like men, they may experience shortness of breath, weakness, unusual fatigue and cold sweats. But unlike men, they may not experience chest pain. They may instead feel pain similar to severe heartburn high in the abdomen or pain in the breast, back, neck or jaw. They may also experience dizziness. Women have also reported symptoms of unusual fatigue, sleep disturbances, shortness of breath, indigestion and anxiety in the weeks leading up to their heart attack.

Do genetics play a role in heart attacks?

Yes. People whose parents have had a heart attack before age 60 have a higher risk for developing coronary artery disease at a young age. One study looked at people, with an average age of 19, whose parents had early heart attacks. These subjects had thicker artery walls and worse artery function than is normal for their age. Researchers suggest that a genetic cause may be responsible and stress the need for healthy lifestyle changes among people in this situation.