[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/02\/widowmaker\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/02\/widowmaker\/","headline":"What is A Widowmaker Heart Attack?","name":"What is A Widowmaker Heart Attack?","description":"Heart attacks affect nearly 635,000 people per year, and about 300,000 have a second heart attack. All heart attacks are dangerous, but some –such as the widowmaker heart attack — are deadlier than others. What is A Heart Attack? A heart attack happens when blood flow to the heart is blocked for long enough to […]","datePublished":"2019-02-18","dateModified":"2022-09-02","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","name":"UPMC","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/chest-pain-dangers-of-delaying-care.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/chest-pain-dangers-of-delaying-care.jpg","height":325,"width":753},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/02\/widowmaker\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Heart and Vascular Health"],"wordCount":594,"keywords":["heart attack","Heart Health"],"articleBody":"Heart attacks affect nearly 635,000 people per year, and about 300,000 have a second heart attack. All heart attacks are dangerous, but some –such as the widowmaker heart attack — are deadlier than others.What is A Heart Attack?A heart attack happens when blood flow to the heart is blocked for long enough to damage the muscle. If blood flow isn\u2019t restored quickly, the heart muscle begins to die from a lack of oxygen, and nonfunctioning scar tissue forms in its place. If enough muscle function is lost, heart failure can occur.Most heart attacks are the result of atherosclerosis, a condition in which a hard substance called plaque builds up inside the arteries. This build-up starts to make the vessels narrow and eventually causes blockage over time. Genetics, high blood sugar levels, and smoking all cause the disease process to speed up. Plaque also may break open, causing a blood clot to form on the plaque\u2019s surface and causing heart muscle death without advanced warning.What is A Widowmaker?While all myocardial infarctions or heart attacks can be fatal, some are truly notorious. A heart attack caused by a blockage in the main artery that goes down the front of the heart is often the most fatal. This type of heart attach is known as the widowmaker. According to the American Heart Association, the survival rate following a widowmaker heart attack is only 12% when it occurs outside of a hospital or advanced care center.Despite its name, a widowmaker can occur in both men and women. A blockage of 80% to 100% in the left anterior descending (LAD) artery \u2013 the largest of the three arteries providing blood to the heart \u2013 prevents oxygen from getting to 40% of the muscle. Without oxygen, the cells in your heart muscle start to die within minutes.Symptoms of Heart AttackMany people who experience a heart attack either have no symptoms or have symptoms they associate with other problems. You can\u2019t always tell from looking at someone if they are having a heart attack, or which type of heart attack it is.Heart attack symptoms can include:Pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or stops and recurs.Discomfort that extends to the shoulders, arms, back, abdomen, jaw, and teeth.Shortness of breath.Sweating.Lightheadedness or fainting.Heart attacks symptoms can vary for women and include:Abdominal pain that may feel like heartburn or indigestion.Dizziness.Unusual fatigue.Clammy skin.Reducing Your Risk for a Heart AttackThe best way to avoid a heart attack is to understand and limit your risk factors. That starts by having a good relationship with your primary care doctor. Your doctor is familiar with your health, wellness, family history, and risks, and can help you develop a plan accordingly.Tips for keeping your risk as low as possible include:Not smoking.Maintaining a healthy weight.Eating a heart-healthy diet.Having an active lifestyle.Managing chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.Time is MuscleA heart attack is a medical emergency that can be deadly without treatment.The key to surviving a heart attack is to get help as quickly as possible because time is muscle. If you think you or someone else is having a heart attack, call 911 right away. Emergency responders can provide the fastest, safest route to the hospital and are trained to treat you on the way.  Editor's Note: This article was originally published on February 18, 2019, and was last reviewed on September 2, 2022."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2019","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"02","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/\/02\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"What is A Widowmaker Heart Attack?","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/02\/widowmaker\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]