Coronary thrombosis is a condition that has been cited as one of the causes of heart attack. People experiencing this blockage in the arteries caused by coronary occlusions will typically experience the symptoms of a heart attack immediately. Anyone with narrowing of the arteries due to high cholesterol is at a high risk for developing coronary thrombosis.
Causes and Risk Factors
The causes of coronary thrombosis can be complex. People who smoke or make unhealthy lifestyle choices are more susceptible to developing this potentially fatal condition than those following a healthy routine. The term coronary thrombosis and myocardial infarction, or heart attack, is often used interchangeably. Coronary thrombosis is a condition that leads to heart attack, however, and not the heart attack that occurs after a blood clot develops in the arteries.
A coronary occlusion, or thrombosis, occurs when a blood clot causes a blockage leading to the heart. According to the Center for Disease Control, over 700,000 people have a heart attack each year. Of that number, about 15% of people will experience a fatal heart attack. The risk factors of coronary disease include using tobacco products or being exposed to secondhand smoke, having a family history of heart attack, high cholesterol and being diagnosed with diabetes.
Symptoms of Coronary Thrombosis
A coronary occlusion may cause signs of discomfort before a heart attack occurs. It can become very difficult for blood to reach the heart when an artery is blocked or damaged by a blood clot. People experiencing shortness of breath or chest pains, commonly called angina, may be experiencing the early warning symptoms of coronary occlusion. People with serious symptoms should call emergency services rather than waiting for a doctor's appointment. Life threatening symptoms include shortness of breath while resting and severe chest pains.
Treatments Available
The treatments available for coronary thrombosis can include medications, lifestyle changes and surgery. Surgery may be needed to repair any damaged arteries or to clear the arteries of any built up plaques. Most people who have suffered a heart attack will take medications to prevent future occurrences.
The American Heart Association states that people who have suffered from coronary thrombosis may be given anticoagulants or antiplatelet medications that thin the blood along with other medications, such as diuretics to help remove sodium and fluid from the body, to prevent future occurrence and to help reduce the workload on the heart. Most people will also need to begin following ahealthy diet and exercise plan as recommended by their physician after experiencing coronary thrombosis.
