Health Home > Heart & Vascular Health > How a heart attack happens

How a heart attack happens

Healthwise

Did you find this helpful?

Rate this article:
100% of users found this article helpful.

If a plaque inside a blood vessel ruptures, the body tries to repair the tear by forming a blood clot. A heart attack occurs when a clot blocks an artery that supplies oxygen-rich blood to the heart (coronary artery). This damages the heart.

Illustration of plaque rupture and clot formation in a coronary artery

Illustration of damage to the heart from a heart attack

Medical Review:
Last Updated: 05/14/2007
Email this Article Print this Article IM this Article
Syndication: