Heart Attack: What it is, Causes, Treatment & More

What is a Heart Attack?

The human heart is a muscle that requires a constant supply of oxygen-rich blood flow to function properly. This blood is delivered through the coronary arteries, which surround the heart. Over time, cholesterol, fats, and other substances can accumulate inside these arteries, forming plaques. If a plaque bursts, it can create a blood clot that blocks the artery and restricts blood flow to the heart.

When the blood supply to the heart is suddenly blocked or severely reduced, a heart attack occurs. In medical terms, this condition is known as a myocardial infarction. A heart attack is an emergency and can have serious consequences if medical help is not received in time.

What are the Types of Heart Attacks?

There are several types of heart attacks, based on the causes, severity, and other factors. STEMI and NSTEMI are the most common ones, classified based on the severity of blockage and the detection on ECG.

How Common is Heart Attack in India?

Heart attacks are quite prevalent in India. In fact, 20% of the deaths due to heart attack around the world happen in India. The incidence of heart disease among Indians has been found to be about twice as high as that in western populations. This is due to a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors like high consumption of processed foods, high stress levels and lack of exercise in the urban population.

In the last seven years, the number of citizens struggling with heart disease has increased three times. According to the NSO Survey 2025, heart diseases are 25.6% of the total diseases in the country. This rate is higher than all other types of diseases. Eastern India, and West Bengal in particular, report a disproportionately high prevalence of heart disease compared to other parts of the country. Global Burden of Disease data further confirms that ischaemic heart disease has been climbing steadily in India over the past two decades, with no signs of slowing down.

Today, not just older adults but even young people are also highly vulnerable to heart attacks. Cardiologists across India have reported a rise in the number of heart attacks among people who are under 40. Heart disease causes around 25% of total deaths in India, and 60% of these deaths are premature.

What Are the Symptoms of a Heart Attack?

Heart attack symptoms are largely the same, whether it is a STEMI or an NSTEMI. The severity of these signs varies from person to person. For example, some attacks strike suddenly and are very intense, while others begin with mild, easy-to-dismiss discomfort that builds gradually over hours or even days.

The symptoms are sometimes mistaken for heartburn, acidity, indigestion, or simple fatigue, delaying the medical attention that is urgently needed. The typical signs include:

• Chest pain (angina)

• Feeling tightness or pressure in the chest

• Discomfort in the arms, shoulders, back, neck, jaw, and belly

• Shortness of breath (sometimes with chest discomfort)

• Sudden cold sweats or breaking out in a sweat for no clear reason

• Nausea, vomiting, or a feeling of indigestion

• Unusual fatigue or weakness that appears without an obvious cause

• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded

• A sense of anxiety or an unexplained feeling

• Rapid or irregular heartbeat

• Upset stomach

What Causes a Heart Attack?

Fundamentally, a heart attack occurs when the heart is deprived of the blood necessary for proper operation. However, there are differences in how that deprivation takes place. These are the most typical reasons:

• Atherosclerosis or Coronary Artery Disease: The leading cause of heart attacks is the gradual buildup of plaques inside the artery due to the deposits of fats, calcium, and cholesterol. The plaque grows so big that it blocks the blood supply to the heart. Alternatively, the plaque may rupture, leading to a clot of blood that blocks the artery and causes a myocardial infarction.

• Coronary Artery Spasm or Prinzmetal's Angina: Sometimes, a sudden, intense tightening of a coronary artery can disrupt blood flow to the heart. If this spasm lasts for a long time, it can trigger a heart attack.

• Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection: A layer of a coronary artery gets torn or separated, trapping blood and making te artery bulge. This disrupts the blood flow and can trigger a heart attack.

• Anomalous Arteries: Some people are born with abnormally formed coronary arteries. If these arteries block the blood flow to the heart, an attack can occur.

• Microvascular Coronary Disease: In this disease, the tiny blood vessels that stem from the main coronary artery become damaged or constricted, reducing blood flow to the heart.

• Other Causes: Apart from these, heart attacks can be caused by tachyarrhythmia (abnormally fast heartbeats), extremely high blood pressure, an air bubble or clot arising in some other location travelling to the artery, and certain viral infections, including COVID-19.

Risk Factors of a Heart Attack

The chances of having a heart attack are influenced by a lot of factors, from genetics and family history to lifestyle choices and diet. Here are some of the factors you should know:

• Age: The risk of a heart attack increases as you get older. For men, this risk increases after the age of 45 years. On the other hand, women are at risk after menopause.

• Gender: Men are more vulnerable to having heart attacks in general, and they tend to suffer from heart attacks at an earlier age. But women are not immune, and the risk increases dramatically after the menopause.

• Family History: If one of your parents, grandparents, or siblings, has suffered from heart disease, you are more likely to have it. The risk increases if a family member was diagnosed with a heart condition at a young age.

• High Cholesterol and Blood Pressure: High levels of cholesterol and blood pressure put a lot of stress on the arteries and heart over time, increasing the risk of buildup and blockages.

• Unhealthy Diet: Consuming a diet rich in saturated fats, trans fats, salt, and processed foods can contribute to the formation of fatty deposits in the arteries, thus raising the risk of a heart attack.

• Lack of Activity: Not exercising regularly leads to weight gain, high blood pressure, and poor cardiovascular health, all of which are risk factors for heart attacks.

• Obesity: Excess weight, particularly around the stomach, speeds up the formation of fatty material in the arteries, which can cause heart attack.

• Stress: Work pressures or emotional strain raise blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart conditions.

• Alcohol and Drugs: Consuming large quantities of alcohol or drugs like cocaine or amphetamines can increase the risk of heart conditions.

What are the Complications of a Heart Attack?

Heart attacks cause damage to the heart, which can lead to serious complications. Here are some examples:

• Cardiogenic Shock: This is a life-threatening condition caused by a severe heart attack. The attack weakens the heart muscle and prevents it from pumping the blood needed for bodily processes. This can lead to multiple organ failure and even death.

• Heart Failure: The heart cannot pump blood effectively enough to meet the body needs during heart failure. This causes fluid to collect inside the lungs, leading to shortness of breath and fatigue.

• Cardiac Arrest: A heart attack can cause an electrical malfunction in the heart. Due to this, the heart stops beating completely or beats so rapidly that it cannot pump blood. It can lead to death within minutes without immediate help.

• Arrhythmia: When the heart muscle is damaged, the electrical signals that manage and regulate the heartbeat are disrupted. This can cause an irregular heartbeat that is either too fast or too slow. Both can affect how well the heart pumps blood and can raise your risk for further complications.

• Other Complications: Additional complications may include clots of blood in the heart chambers, inflammation of the heart's lining, structural damage to the heart walls or valves, and an increased risk of a subsequent heart attack.

When Should I See My Healthcare Provider?

If you have risk factors such as a family history of heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or a sedentary lifestyle, it is strongly advisable to consult a doctor proactively. Getting the relevant tests done can help identify any underlying heart conditions early and significantly reduce the risk of a heart attack before one occurs. If you are already experiencing symptoms such as chest pain or tightness, shortness of breath, an uneasy or heavy feeling in the chest, nausea, sudden sweating, or pain radiating to the arm, jaw, or back, do not wait. Seek emergency medical help right away. In a cardiac event, every minute matters.

How is a Heart Attack Diagnosed?

There are a variety of tests that help confirm whether a heart attack has occurred, the extent of damage to the heart, and the degree of coronary artery disease present.

How is a Heart Attack Treated?

Treatment usually depends on how severe the attack was, how much the blockage is, what other health conditions the patient has, and more. Here are some possible courses of treatment:

• Cardiogenic Shock: Depending on the situation, various medicines can be used. Aspirin is usually given as early as possible because it helps reduce blood clotting and may limit further blockage of the coronary arteries. Thrombolytics (also known as fibrinolytics) are clot-busting drugs that dissolve the obstruction and restore blood flow. Blood thinners and antiplatelet drugs are used to prevent new clots from forming.

• Medications: This is a commonly performed procedure to physically open up the blocked artery. A thin tube is guided to the blocked area, and a small balloon is inflated to widen the artery and restore blood flow. A stent is placed inside so that the artery stays open, allowing the blood to flow.

• Angioplasty and Stenting: Commonly known as bypass surgery, this technique is an open-heart procedure for severe blockages. A healthy blood vessel is taken from another part of the body and used to form a new route for blood to flow around the blockage.

• Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: In this procedure, a catheter is guided through a blood vessel towards the blockage. It reopens the artery to resume the blood flow.

• Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Additional complications may include clots of blood in the heart chambers, inflammation of the heart's lining, structural damage to the heart walls or valves, and an increased risk of a subsequent heart attack.

Can a Heart Attack be Prevented?

According to research, 93% of heart attacks are preventable. Reducing the risk of a heart attack largely comes down to managing the factors that contribute to it. Here are some of the most effective steps you can take:

• Eat a heart-healthy diet with less saturated fat, processed foods and extra salt.

• Exercise regularly to strengthen your heart and maintain a healthy weight.

• Quit smoking and cut back on alcohol. Both are direct toxins to the heart and arteries.

• Manage stress with healthy practices like physical activity, enough rest, and mindfulness.

• Get adequate sleep as poor sleep is increasingly linked to increased cardiovascular risk.

• Keep your weight down, particularly around the waist, where excess fat is most dangerous to the heart.

• Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes to keep the risk of heart attack low.

• Get regular checks for blockages in the arteries, especially if you have a family history of heart attacks or other risk factors.

What is the Prognosis of a Heart Attack?

Many people survive a heart attack and go on to live a normal life with timely treatment and proper care. But the prognosis depends on things such as how much heart muscle is damaged, age, and other health conditions. Long term management usually requires continued medication, regular follow-up visits with a cardiologist, periodic testing and continued lifestyle changes. In fact, heart attacks sometimes recur in patients, so ongoing medical care and a healthy lifestyle are essential after recovery.

Does Health Insurance Cover Heart Attacks?

Yes, health insurance in India provides coverage for heart attacks. Standard health insurance policies cover hospitalisation expenses along with pre- and post-hospitalisation costs such as diagnostic tests, ambulance charges, medicines, and follow-up consultations. Many insurers also offer critical illness plans specifically for life-threatening conditions like heart attacks. You can make a claim based on a diagnosis alone, without needing hospitalisation. Upon diagnosis, you receive a lump sum amount for treatment expenses. These plans come with a waiting period of 90 days before a claim can be made, along with a survival period of around 30 days following diagnosis. Some insurers also offer specialised health insurance plans for cardiac conditions, providing a similar lump-sum amount for managing heart conditions.

How Much Health Insurance is Needed for Heart Attack Treatment?

Treatments required for a heart attack can be significantly expensive, especially when bypass surgery or angiography is required. A minimum coverage of ₹10 to 20 lakh is strongly recommended. Opting for a higher sum insured is always a wise choice, especially for those with a family history of heart disease, older age, or other existing risk factors.