{"id":436,"date":"2022-03-29T08:27:06","date_gmt":"2022-03-29T08:27:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goodrxmedicine.com\/blog\/heart-attack-what-increases-the-risk-of-this-medical-emergency\/"},"modified":"2025-10-10T04:42:46","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T04:42:46","slug":"heart-attack-causes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodrxmedicine.com\/blog\/general-health\/heart-attack-causes\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are The Most Common Heart Attack Causes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>A heart attack, also known as a Myocardial Infarction, is a medical emergency due to a shortage of blood flow to the heart muscles.&nbsp;<br><br>If a heart attack doesn&#8217;t receive immediate medical attention, it can lead to permanent heart damage or death.<br><br>The CDC reports that around 805,000 people in the United States suffer heart attacks yearly.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>But what causes a heart attack? How do you know if you&#8217;re at risk? Various factors are involved in the occurrence of heart attacks.&nbsp;<br><br>This article offers an overview of the different heart attack causes you should be aware of and how to prevent them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"how-does-a-heart-attack-happen\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How does a heart attack happen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A heart attack happens due to a shortage of oxygenated blood flow to the heart muscle.&nbsp;<br><br>Usually, this occurs due to a blood clot forming within a <a href=\"https:\/\/watchlearnlive.heart.org\/index.php?moduleSelect=hrtatk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">coronary artery<\/a> responsible for supplying blood to the heart.&nbsp;<br><br>The clot may form due to plaque rupture (the accumulation of cholesterol and other substances on the artery&#8217;s walls).&nbsp;<br><br>The clot can restrict blood flow, which may result in the loss of heart muscle cells. It may lead to chest discomfort, difficulty breathing, and additional symptoms.&nbsp;<br><br>Immediate medical intervention to restore blood flow is essential to minimize damage and improve outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"goodr-2527663398\"><!-- ===== GRX 4-Product Strip Dynamic API \u2014 GoodRxMedicine ===== -->\r\n<div class=\"grx-ss\" aria-label=\"Related products\">\r\n  <style>\r\n    .grx-ss{\r\n      --gap:12px;\r\n      --radius:12px;\r\n      --border:#d5d7da;\r\n      --muted:#717680;\r\n      --title:#181d27;\r\n      --price:#32c900;\r\n      --btn:#4107a1;\r\n      --btn-h:#32067c;\r\n      --btn-txt:#fff;\r\n      --shadow:0 4px 14px rgba(9,30,66,.06);\r\n      --v-xs:4px; --v-sm:6px;\r\n      --img-h:153px;\r\n      --wp--style--block-gap:0 !important;\r\n      display:block; width:100%; margin:0; padding:0; text-align:left;\r\n      margin-bottom:30px;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    .grx-ss *, .grx-ss *::before, .grx-ss *::after{\r\n      box-sizing:border-box;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    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initProducts();\r\n    })();\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<!-- ===== \/GRX 4-Product Strip Dynamic API \u2014 GoodRxMedicine ===== --><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"main-causes-of-heart-attack\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Main causes of heart attack<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"536\" src=\"https:\/\/www.goodrxmedicine.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/cardiovascular-problem-1024x536.webp\" alt=\"cardiovascular problem\" class=\"wp-image-393115\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.goodrxmedicine.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/cardiovascular-problem-1024x536.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.goodrxmedicine.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/cardiovascular-problem-300x157.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.goodrxmedicine.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/cardiovascular-problem-768x402.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.goodrxmedicine.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/cardiovascular-problem.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Cardiovascular disease<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The most common heart attack causes are Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), Hypertension, Diabetes, and other genetic or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ahajournals.org\/doi\/full\/10.1161\/CIRCULATIONAHA.113.006126\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">physical factors<\/a>.&nbsp;<br><br>Let us discuss the causes of heart attacks in detail:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"coronary-artery-disease-cad\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Typically, the most common cause of heart attack is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). It is a condition that causes plaque buildup within the coronary arteries.&nbsp;<br><br>Plaque, which consists of cholesterol, fat, calcium, and other substances, can gradually narrow the arteries and restrict blood flow.&nbsp;<br><br>When a plaque ruptures, it forms a blood clot that can block the artery. It could result in a heart attack.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"su-box su-box-style-soft\" id=\"\" style=\"border-color:#073d11;border-radius:10px;\"><div class=\"su-box-title\" style=\"background-color:#3A7044;color:#FFFFFF;border-top-left-radius:8px;border-top-right-radius:8px\">Fact:<\/div><div class=\"su-box-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"border-bottom-left-radius:8px;border-bottom-right-radius:8px\">Did you know? CAD symptoms can affect adults of any age older than 20.\u00a0<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"diabetes\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Diabetes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodrxmedicine.com\/blog\/general-health\/diabetes-noncommunicable-deadly-diseases\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Diabetes<\/a>, especially type 2 Diabetes, is linked to a higher likelihood of experiencing heart attacks.\u00a0<br><br>The condition leads to an increase in blood sugar levels. Elevated blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and nerves.<br><br>Nerve and blood vessel damage can cause complications in the cardiovascular system, increasing the risk of heart attacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Recommended read<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodrxmedicine.com\/blog\/general-health\/type-2-diabetes-prevention\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">7 Tips to Naturally Prevent Type 2 Diabetes<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"uncontrolled-hypertension\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Uncontrolled Hypertension<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodrxmedicine.com\/blog\/general-health\/hypertension-treatment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hypertension<\/a>, also known as high blood pressure, can cause strain on the arterial walls over time. It can result in the thickening and narrowing of the blood vessels.\u00a0<br><br>This process, called atherosclerosis, involves the accumulation of plaque. Ruptured plaque can form blood clots in the coronary artery, blocking blood flow to the heart muscles.<br><br>The decreased blood supply can lead to a heart attack due to a lack of oxygen in the heart muscle cells.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"su-box su-box-style-soft\" id=\"\" style=\"border-color:#075380;border-radius:7px;\"><div class=\"su-box-title\" style=\"background-color:#3A86B3;color:#FFFFFF;border-top-left-radius:5px;border-top-right-radius:5px\">Order Now<\/div><div class=\"su-box-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"border-bottom-left-radius:5px;border-bottom-right-radius:5px\">Don&#8217;t wait to lower BP. Take action now! \u2014 Buy  <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.goodrxmedicine.com\/cipril-h-5-12-5-mg-prinvil-h.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Cipril H 5 + 12.5 mg\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">Cipril H 5 + 12.5 mg<\/a> <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"obesity-and-metabolic-syndrome\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Excess body weight, particularly around the abdominal area, is <a href=\"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/jcem\/article\/89\/6\/2595\/2870292\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">associated<\/a> with metabolic syndrome.&nbsp;<br><br>It combines high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and abnormal cholesterol levels. Metabolic syndrome raises the risk of heart attacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"poor-lifestyle\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Poor lifestyle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"536\" src=\"https:\/\/www.goodrxmedicine.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Avoid-Smoking-1024x536.webp\" alt=\"Avoid Smoking\" class=\"wp-image-398097\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.goodrxmedicine.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Avoid-Smoking-1024x536.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.goodrxmedicine.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Avoid-Smoking-300x157.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.goodrxmedicine.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Avoid-Smoking-768x402.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.goodrxmedicine.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Avoid-Smoking.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Avoid Smoking<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodrxmedicine.com\/blog\/lifestyle-and-diet\/healthy-lifestyle-benefits\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Lifestyle choices<\/a> such as smoking, diet, exercise, and alcohol consumption can contribute to the causes for heart attacks.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An unhealthy lifestyle can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and Diabetes. These risk factors may increase the likelihood of heart attacks.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"su-box su-box-style-soft cms-warning-box\" id=\"\" style=\"border-color:#7a1312;border-radius:10px;\"><div class=\"su-box-title\" style=\"background-color:#AD4645;color:#FFFFFF;border-top-left-radius:8px;border-top-right-radius:8px\">Warning:<\/div><div class=\"su-box-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"border-bottom-left-radius:8px;border-bottom-right-radius:8px\">Tobacco use is the leading cause of heart attacks in individuals under 40.<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"age-and-gender\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Age and gender<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Age and gender may be risk factors for a heart attack. Old age may increase health concerns due to longer exposure to risk factors and gradual wear on the cardiovascular system.&nbsp;<br><br>Men may have a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/heart-health\/throughout-life-heart-attacks-are-twice-as-common-in-men-than-women\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">greater risk<\/a> of facing a heart attack due to hormonal differences and a greater prevalence of risk factors.&nbsp;<br><br>The risk of a heart attack in women increases after menopause. However, women may experience atypical symptoms, which can lead to an underdiagnosis.&nbsp;<br><br>Everyone, regardless of age and gender, should manage risk factors, adopt heart-healthy lifestyles, and get regular check-ups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Recommended read<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodrxmedicine.com\/blog\/sexual-wellness\/can-viagra-cause-a-heart-attack\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Can Viagra Cause a Heart Attack?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"heart-attack-causes-at-a-glance\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Heart attack causes \u2014 at a glance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Heart attacks are a medical emergency that can occur due to various factors, including CAD, Hypertension, Diabetes, and Obesity.<br><br>The contributing causes of a heart attack may increase with old age, poor diet and lifestyle, and a family history of heart attack.&nbsp;<br><br>Working with healthcare professionals is crucial to assess risk factors and adopt strategies for heart health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div id=\"goodr-275609778\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodrxmedicine.com\/\" aria-label=\"Your Banner CTA\" class=\"post-inside-cta\">\r\n    <picture>\r\n        <source media=\"(max-width: 768px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.goodrxmedicine.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Health_Mobile.webp\">\r\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.goodrxmedicine.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Health_Desktop-scaled.webp\" alt=\"Your Banner CTA\" width=\"100%\" height=\"184\">\r\n    <\/picture>\r\n<\/a>\r\n<div style=\"height: 30px;\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 id=\"frequently-asked-questions\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-question-1692872392812\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">What is the primary cause of heart attacks?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The primary cause of heart attacks is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), which occurs due to plaque buildup in the coronary arteries.<br \/>The plaque can rupture and lead to blood clot formation in the arteries, blocking blood flow to the heart.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1692872401425\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Can age influence heart attack risk?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes, old age increases risk due to longer exposure to risk factors and gradual impact on the cardiovascular system.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1692872409120\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Can genetics play a role in heart attack risk?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes, a family history of heart disease can increase the risk of potential heart attack, thereby increasing the risk.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1692872418120\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">How can women&#8217;s heart attack symptoms differ from men&#8217;s?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Women may experience atypical symptoms such as nausea, back pain, or fatigue, which can lead to underdiagnosis.<br \/>It is essential to be familiar with traditional and atypical symptoms for early detection and treatment.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1692872430381\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Can recreational drug use increase heart attack risk?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Substances like cocaine can constrict arteries, elevate blood pressure, and increase heart attack risk.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"su-note\"  style=\"border-color:#cbcac8;border-radius:10px;-moz-border-radius:10px;-webkit-border-radius:10px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#E5E4E2;border-color:#ffffff;color:#36454F;border-radius:10px;-moz-border-radius:10px;-webkit-border-radius:10px;\"><strong>Citations:<\/strong><br \/>\nWhen referencing outside resources, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodrxmedicine.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GoodrxMedicine<\/a> always provides full citations. To learn more about the measures we use to maintain the quality of our content, please review our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodrxmedicine.com\/content-information-policy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Content Information Policy<\/a>.<\/div><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhlbi.nih.gov\/health\/heart-attack\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">nhlbi.nih.gov<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/heartattack.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">medlineplus.gov<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hopkinsmedicine.org\/health\/conditions-and-diseases\/heart-attack#:~:text=A%20heart%20attack%20(myocardial%20infarction,the%20heart%20muscle%20is%20blocked.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">hopkinsmedicine.org<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A heart attack, also known as a Myocardial Infarction, is a medical emergency due to a shortage of blood flow to the heart muscles.&nbsp; If a heart attack doesn&#8217;t receive immediate medical attention, it can lead to permanent heart damage or death. The CDC reports that around 805,000 people in the United States suffer heart &#8230; Read more","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":390428,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"schema_drug_name":"","schema_drug_sameas":"","schema_strip_mentions_drug":"","custom_head_after_canonical":"","geo_latitude":"","geo_longitude":"","csco_display_header_overlay":false,"csco_singular_sidebar":"","csco_page_header_type":"","csco_page_load_nextpost":"","csco_page_reading_time":"","csco_page_toc_navigation":"","csco_post_video_location":[],"csco_post_video_location_hash":"","csco_post_video_url":"","csco_post_video_bg_start_time":0,"csco_post_video_bg_end_time":0,"csco_post_video_bg_volume":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[147],"tags":[72,81],"class_list":{"0":"post-436","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-general-health","8":"tag-cardiovascular-disorder","9":"tag-heart-attack","10":"cs-entry","11":"cs-video-wrap"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goodrxmedicine.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/436","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goodrxmedicine.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goodrxmedicine.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goodrxmedicine.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goodrxmedicine.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=436"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.goodrxmedicine.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/436\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":440154,"href":"https:\/\/www.goodrxmedicine.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/436\/revisions\/440154"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goodrxmedicine.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/390428"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goodrxmedicine.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=436"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goodrxmedicine.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=436"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goodrxmedicine.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=436"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}