What causes "heart explosion", for lack of a better term?

Answer 1

Most heart attacks occur as a result of coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD is the buildup over time of a material called plaque on the inner walls of the coronary arteries. Eventually, a section of plaque can break open, causing a blood clot to form at the site. A heart attack occurs if the clot becomes large enough to cut off most or all of the blood flow through the artery.

With advancing age, cholesterol and calcium are deposited gradually in the walls of the coronary arteries. These deposits are called plaques. The process is known as atherosclerosis, or "hardening of the arteries."
- A diet high in cholesterol combined with smoking and lack of exercise can accelerate this process.

- As these plaques grow, they begin to impede the flow of blood.

- The growing plaque is like a firm shell with a soft inner core containing cholesterol.

- As blood hits a plaque during each heartbeat, the plaque may crack open and expose the inner cholesterol.

- The cholesterol may cause a blood clot to begin to form.

- The plaque and the blood clot block the artery partially or completely. The more the artery is blocked, the greater the resulting damage to the heart.-