In the context of heart attacks, many people consider ‘blockages’ to be the primary cause. But what does that mean? Are heart attacks caused by blood clots or by the gradual build-up of fatty deposits known as Atheromas? Understanding the difference between these two can help clear up the confusion.
Understanding Blockages: Two Different Meanings
Let’s break it down. The term “blockage” can refer to two very different things:
1. Fat Atheroma (Plaque):
What is it: Over time, fats, cholesterol, and other substances may accumulate in the walls of your arteries, forming what’s known as plaque or atheroma. This build-up is a slow process that can take many years.
Impact: As the plaque builds up, it narrows the arteries, reducing blood flow to your heart. This can lead to chest pain, especially when you exert yourself—a condition known as angina. But here’s the important point: while this narrowing can be uncomfortable and limiting, it usually doesn’t cause a heart attack on its own.
2. Blood Clot:
What is it: A blood clot is a solid mass that forms when blood changes from a liquid to a solid. Normally, blood clots are beneficial, stopping bleeding when you get a cut or wound. However, when a clot forms inside an artery, it can be very dangerous.
How does it happen: Sometimes, the surface of a fatty plaque (atheroma) inside an artery can crack or rupture. The body perceives this as an injury and quickly sends blood-clotting cells (platelets) to the site to form a clot. But instead of healing, this clot can block the entire artery.
Impact: When a blood clot blocks an artery in your heart, it prevents blood from reaching the heart muscle. Without this blood supply, part of the heart muscle begins to die, and this causes a heart attack. So, while the plaque is a contributing factor, it’s the blood clot that directly triggers the heart attack.
Why Emergency Treatments Focus on Clots
During a heart attack, the immediate goal of the emergency treatment is to dissolve the blood clot that’s blocking the artery. Doctors use medications called thrombolytics, or “clot busters,” to break up the clot and quickly restore blood flow to the heart. These treatments focus on the clot because it’s the immediate cause of the heart attack.
The Heart of the Matter
So, who’s the real culprit behind heart attacks? While blocked arteries (due to fatty Atheromas) can cause chest pain and reduce blood flow, a heart attack usually occurs when a sudden blood clot forms, completely blocking an artery.
Understanding the difference between Atheromas and clots can help you better manage your heart health. It’s important to address both the slow build-up of plaque and the sudden risk posed by blood clots.
That’s why it’s important to address and manage both risks—through lifestyle changes, regular check-ups, and understanding the warning signs—can help keep your heart healthy and strong.