Chest pain is considered the most common sign of a heart attack. However, heart attacks may present with other symptoms like breathlessness and lightheadedness. A heart attack also differs in severity. It can be mild or severe, depending on the blockage in arteries. Surprisingly, the symptoms of heart attack differ in both men and women.

What causes a heart attack?

A myocardial infarction, also known as a heart attack, occurs when the blood supply to the heart is interrupted. When blood flow is restricted to the heart, it can become life-threatening.

Blood is supplied to the heart through the arteries. When waxy plaque builds up in the arteries, it creates difficulty for the blood to pass and creates an obstruction. The blood flow is at times slowed or completely cut off.

This waxy plaque is created by low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, lipids, and other inflammatory substances. Immediately after a hard plaque ruptures, a blood clot forms. Blood flow to your heart will be obstructed if the clot is large enough. You are more likely to get heart failure and other heart problems if the supply of oxygenated blood to heart tissue is cut off.