A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked, depriving it of oxygen and causing heart muscle damage. This increases the risk of heart failure and other complications. Symptoms include chest pain, body aches, nausea, sweating, and shortness of breath. Prompt recognition and treatment are crucial. Unlike cardiac arrest, where the heart stops completely, a heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest if untreated. Both are medical emergencies.

Causes
The most common causes of a heart attack is a complete or partial blockage in one of the arteries near the heart. This can result from coronary heart disease in which plaque made up of cholesterol and other substances – collects in the arteries, narrowing them. Heart muscle damage,if the blokage isn’t treated quickly a part of the heart muscle begins to die.
Less common causes include;
• Blood clots
• Coronary artery spasms
• Spontaneous coronary artery dissection

Risk factors
• Family history
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Lack of exercise
• High levels of stress
• Diabetes or prediabetes
• Eating a diet high in trans fats and saturated fats
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Sleep apnea

Symptoms of a heart attack
Symptoms include:
• Feeling clammy and sweaty
• A feeling of pressure,tightness, pain,squeezing or aching in the chest
• Paim that spread to the arms,neck,jaw or back
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea and sometimes vomiting
• Dizzy
• A feeling similar to heartburn or indigestion
• A feeling of crushing or heaviness in the chest

The following may also develop:
• Hypoxemia
• Cardiogenic shock
• Pulmonary edema
Diagnosis
• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Chest X-ray
• Cardic CT and MRI
• Coronary angiogram
• Blood tests :troponin levels
• Echocardiography
• Cardiac catheterization

Treatment
If you’ve had a heart attack your doctor may recommend a procedure (surgery or nonsurgical). Common procedures include:
• Angioplasty
• Stent
• Heart bypass surgery
• Heart valve surgery
• Pacemaker
• Heart transplant
Medications
• Aspirin
• Beta-blockers
• Pain relievers
• Nitroglycerin
• Antiplatelet and anticoagulants also known as blood thinners
• Other drugs to break up clots
• Blood pressure medication
• Beta-blockers
Complication
• Edema :Fluid accumulates and causes swelling in the ankles and legs
• Depression :Some people may feel depressed after heart attacks
• Aneurysm :Scar tissue builds up on the damaged heart wall, which causes thinning and stretching of the heart muscle eventually forming a sac.
• Arrhythmia : The heart beat irregularly either too fast or too slowly.
• Angina : Insufficient oxygen reaches the heart causing chest pain.
• Myocardial rupture : This is a tear in a part of the heart due to damage from a heart attack.
Preventions
• Avoid or quit smoking
• Eat a balanced healthful diet
• Limit alcohol intake
• Get exercise
• Maintain body weight
• Reduce stress like: Yoga,mindfulness, breathing exercises
• Get enogh sleep
• Maintain blood pressure and blood sugar