What happens to people who die from a heart attack? Do they die from not being able to breathe (asphyxiation)?

Answer 1

When a person dies from a massive heart attack, it is because the blood cannot flow through the arteries that supply the heart with oxygen. The heart may start to beat rapidly, but then it always goes into what is called a life threatening arrhythmia (abnormal rhythm). When the heart does not beat normally, it does not push blood around your body. It sort of stays in one place pulsing back and forth without going anywhere. If that happens, your brain and vital organs begin to shut down because of lack of oxygen.

Answer 2

Most patients who have a heart attack do not die from the heart attack itself but the deadly dysrhythmias vtach and vfib that occur within 24 hours of the heart attack due to irritability of the heart attack on conduction. This is why there needs to be an AED or Automated External Defibrillator in every public place.

Answer 3

Assuming you mean heart attack caused by a blood clot: If it is big enough, the shock to the heart can cause it to immediately stop beating. This in turn is a shock to the brain, and death can be almost instant.