Image
Heart attack
A heart attack occurs when an artery supplying your heart with blood and oxygen becomes blocked. Fatty deposits build up over time, forming plaques in your heart's arteries (A). The plaques build over time (B). If the deposits rupture, a blood clot can form (C) and eventually completely block your arteries, causing a heart attack. During a heart attack, tissue in your heart muscle dies due to lack of blood flow through your heart's arteries (D).

Find Mayo Clinic on