Can high cholesterol lead to a heart attack?
Eventually, plaque buildup that is not treated properly may completely block an artery. This can occur either because the plaque itself becomes so thick or because it leads to a blood clot, called a thrombus. As plaque deposits grow, they may crack or tear. When this happens, blood naturally begins to clot in the area. The blood can form a clot on the plaque’s surface that’s large enough to fully block the artery. If this happens in one of your heart’s arteries, called the coronary arteries, it causes a heart attack. A heart attack is also called a myocardial infarction. Because of tears in plaque and blood clots, a 30% blockage of your arteries can suddenly threaten your life. During a heart attack, the part of your heart that isn’t getting oxygen begins to die. In some cases, the damage cannot be reversed. What Else Might Happen to Me? Blocked arteries in other areas of your body can cause serious health problems, too. • If an artery supplying your brain becomes too narrowed, you may
