How does a coronary heart attack occur?

A heart attack or myocardial infarction occurs in areas of the heart that lack blood flow. Blood, carried by coronary arteries around the heart, would normally provide oxygen & nutrition while taking away carbon dioxide. Without oxygen, the area would become necrotic & myocardial cells would die.

Angina, or chest pain, is usually a precursor to a heart attack. Patients that experience chest pain should see their health care provider to possibly undergo a stress test. A cardiac catheterization may be needed to determine which coronary vessel(s), also called coronary arteries, is occluded or blocked. Occlusion occurs due to years of atherosclerosis, or buildup of lipids from diet & hereditary factors. If the left main coronary artery is blocked, usually a CABG (coronary artery bypass graft) is needed. If other arteries are involved, a coronary stent might be another option. If minimal occlusion is found during catheterization, a patient may just require an antiplatelet agent, such as aspirin or clopidogrel.