This narrows the artery and can restrict the amount of blood that can flow through it. If the artery becomes too narrow, it cannot supply enough blood to the heart muscle when it becomes stressed. Just like muscle soreness experienced in our limbs while engaging in anaerobic (without oxygen) exercises, the heart muscle too will ache if it doesn't get adequate blood supply. This ache is called angina.

If the plaque ruptures, a small blood clot can form within the blood vessel and acutely block the blood flow. When that part of the heart loses its blood supply completely, the muscle dies. This is called a heart attack, or a myocardial infarction Heart attack is most often caused by narrowing of the arteries by cholesterol plaque and their subsequent rupture. This is known as atherosclerotic heart disease(AHSD) or coronary artery disease (CAD).

The risk factors for Coronary Heart Disease are Family history or heredity, Smoking, High blood Pressure, High cholesterol , Diabetes and Sedentary life style.

While heredity is beyond a patient's control, all other risk factors can be addressed to minimize the risk of developing coronary artery disease or decreasing its progression if already present.

Classic symptoms of a heart attack may include: Chest pain associated with shortness of breath, profuse sweating and nausea. The chest pain may be described as tightness, fullness, a pressure, or an ache. Unfortunately, many people do not have these classic signs. Other presentations of heart attack may include: Indigestion, jaw ache, pain only in the shoulders or arms, shortness of breath, or Nausea and vomiting.

This list is not exhaustive, since many times people can experience a heart attack with minimal symptoms. In women and the elderly, heart attack symptoms can be atypical and sometimes so vague as to be easily missed. The only complaint may be extreme weakness or fatigue.

So in case you have a risk factor for Heart Disease and experience any discomfort in your mid section in addition to what is indicated above, please take medical help without delay.

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