What causes someone to have a heart attack?
What causes someone to have a heart attack?
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A heart attack can be caused by a sudden blockage of a coronary artery due to cholesterol plaques or other substances that restrict blood flow to the heart. This lack of oxygenated blood can cause part of the heart muscle to become injured or die, resulting in chest pain and sometimes other symptoms, such as shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea or discomfort in other areas of the body.
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What causes someone to have a heart attack?
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The most common cause of heart attacks is the accumulation of fatty deposits in the coronary arteries, causing restricted blood flow to the heart muscle. Factors that increase the risk of heart attack include smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, physical inactivity, and being middle-aged or older. Other potential contributors include stressful life events such as emotional upset or financial difficulty; having an irregular sleeping pattern; excess alcohol consumption; a family history of coronary artery disease; and certain medications and drugs. Certain medical conditions such as kidney disease can also increase risk.
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