Myocardial Infarction in WomenWhat is a myocardial infarction? Myocardial infarction, also called a heart attack, occurs when there is a blockage in one of the coronary arteries. The heart is a muscle that needs oxygenated blood and nutrients to survive. When a blockage occurs in the arteries, oxygen and nutrients are cut off from the heart for an extended period of time. The blocked part of the heart tissue dies. Blockages can occur due to several factors. Coronary heart disease is the most common cause. Coronary heart disease or atherosclerosis is caused by the buildup of plaque and narrowing of the artery walls. These plaques are made from cholesterol and waste. This buildup on artery walls can restrict blood flow; a process that can take risks. Blood clots can accumulate due to the buildup of atherosclerotic plaque. When plaque builds up and breaks loose in the artery, a blood clot can form. If the blood clot is large enough, it may particularly or completely block the artery. A blocked artery segment causes tissue death due to a lack of oxygenated blood. If this problem is not treated immediately, the part of the heart supplied by the artery will begin to die. Scar tissue will form over what was once healthy heart tissue. Heart damage may not be noticeable or may cause serious or lasting problems. (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) Another cause of heart attack is due to a severe spasm of the coronary artery, this is the least common cause. Coronary artery spasms are brief, temporary tightenings or contractions of the muscles in the artery wall. Spasms can occur in coronary arteries that are not affected by atherosclerosis. It is not known exactly why these spasms occur, but they are most likely due to: physical exertion, stress or emotional pain, exposure to extreme cold, smoking, cocaine. When a heart attack occurs in humans, the symptoms can almost always be unmistakable. The most common and widely recognized symptoms are chest pain or pressure that feels like an "elephant sitting on the chest" (American Heart Association) and pain that radiates down the left arm. However, women may not experience these common symptoms. Women may experience chest pain or discomfort that feels like compression or fullness, the pain may be felt anywhere in the chest, not just the left side. (Webmd) Other symptoms may include pain in the arms, back, neck, or jaw; which can be gradual or sudden. Shortness of breath may occur with or without chest pain. Other symptoms may include cold sweats, nausea/vomiting, dizziness, or fatigue. Women often ignore heart attack symptoms or mistake them for less serious conditions, such as acid reflux, normal aging, or the flu. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the leading cause of death among women and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute states that one in four women in the United States die from heart disease..