Causes

The most common cause of heart blockage is a vascular injury to the inner layer of the coronary artery with plaque buildup. The injury may be caused by various factors, such as:

Sedentary lifestyle

Diabetes or insulin resistance

High blood pressure

High cholesterol

Smoking

Over the years, plaque made of cholesterol and other cellular waste products accumulates at the site of the injury through a process called atherosclerosis. In some instances, the surface of the plaque ruptures and as a defense mechanism, blood cells clump at the site to repair the artery. The clump gets dislodged in some cases and clogs a narrowed artery, leading to a heart attack.

Risk factors

Some of the risk factors for heart artery blockage are as follows:

Family history: The risk of coronary artery disease is higher in people with a family history of the condition. The risk is higher in individuals with a father or brother diagnosed with heart disease before the age of 55 or a mother or sister who has developed the condition before 65 years of age.

Age: The risk of damaged or narrowed arteries increases with age.

Sex: Compared to women, men are generally at higher risk of the condition. The risk increases in women after menopause.

Smoking: Smokers have a significantly higher risk of heart disease.

Blood Pressure: In patients with uncontrolled blood pressure, the arteries harden and thicken, ultimately becoming narrow, and increasing the risk of coronary artery disease.

Cholesterol levels: Increased cholesterol levels in the blood increase the risk of plaque formation and atherosclerosis. High levels of LDL Cholesterol (Low Density Lipoprotein), also known as bad cholesterol, or low levels of HDL Cholesterol (High Density Lipoprotein), also known as good cholesterol, lead to the development of atherosclerosis.

Diabetes: Diabetes or uncontrolled high blood sugar levels increases the risk of coronary artery disease. It is common in Indians.

Overweight or obesity: Excess weight worsens other risk factors, thereby increasing the risk of heart blockage symptoms.

Sedentary lifestyle: Physical inactivity is associated with the symptoms of clogged arteries.

Stress: Stress damages the arteries and worsens other risk factors.

Diet: An unhealthy diet or a diet rich in saturated fat, trans fat, salt and sugar, can increase the risk of coronary artery disease.

Apart from these classic risk factors, coronary artery disease can also be caused by:

Sleep apnea: Breathing disorders during sleep put a strain on the cardiovascular system.

High sensitivity C-reactive protein: This can lead to inflammation in the body.

High triglycerides: This is a type of fat (lipid) in the bloodstream. Increased levels of TG raise the risk of heart blockages.

Homocysteine: This is an amino acid that is important for tissue building. High levels of homocysteine increase the risk of coronary artery disease.

Preeclampsia: This condition can develop in women during pregnancy and can cause high blood pressure and higher amounts of protein in the urine. Preeclampsia can lead to coronary artery disease in the latter part of the woman’s life.

Alcohol abuse: Heavy alcohol consumption worsens other risk factors of coronary artery disease.

Autoimmune diseases: This is a condition where the body’s own defense mechanism is affected. Conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus increase the risk of atherosclerosis.

Blocked Heart Arteries