Written By: Pavitra Sampath | Updated : May 22, 2014 1:44 AM IST
I want to know the difference between heart attack and heart blockage. Are they the same?
The two words heart attack and heart blockage are very different. A heart attack is a condition or a phenomenon that happens suddenly and due to the death of some part of the heart muscle. This happens because there is lack of blood supply to that part of the heart, which happens due to the presence of a blockage in one of the blood vessels that leads to the heart.
A heart blockage is actually the wrong usage of the word. The heart cannot be blocked but the blood vessels leading to the heart can be. This happens when there is buildup of either plaque or blood cells in one part of the blood vessel. Imagine the blood vessel as a pipe, which when blocked does not allow water to flow smoothly through it. As more and more dirt collects around one part of the pipe it eventually gets completely blocked, not allowing any water to pass through and reach the other end. The same thing happens with a blockage in the blood vessels of the heart. This block leads to a heart attack.
Read more about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.
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