Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., but one form of heart attack — formerly known by the antiquated term “widowmaker” — can be more serious than others.
This massive heart attack refers to a cardiac event brought on by 70-100% blockage in the left anterior descending artery (or LAD), the main coronary artery that supplies a significant amount of the blood flow to the heart muscle.
In the past, cardiovascular disease and heart attacks were considered more of a danger for men — hence the nickname widowmaker.
The term is outdated and rarely used by physicians today, as both genders face cardiovascular disease risks, and women have also experienced this type of massive heart attack.
Television soap opera actor Susan Lucci narrowly avoided a massive heart attack in 2018 and has shared her story through the American Heart Association to raise awareness for heart disease.
Your genetics and other health factors, such as obesity, cholesterol and blood pressure levels can put you at higher risk for heart disease. Smokers also have a higher risk.
Heart attack symptoms aren’t as dramatic as they look on television. Common symptoms include:
- Pain, aching or tightness in the chest, a feeling of squeezing, pressure
- Pain or aching in the arm, shoulder, neck, jaw or teeth
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sweating
- Heartburn or indigestion
To help minimize your risk for heart disease, experts recommend you adopt a healthy diet, exercise regularly and, if you smoke, get help to quit smoking. If you have a family history of heart disease, be sure to talk to your physician about your risks and any changes you can make to help minimize those risks.
A heart scan is another tool that can help prevent a heart attack. Heart disease is often “silent,” with no symptoms, or ones that are barely noticeable, until a heart attack strikes. You could be at risk and not realize it.
Heart scans can help identify early buildup of calcium in the coronary arteries, the most common cause of heart disease, before you feel any symptoms. The painless, 10-minute scan measures calcium buildup in the coronary arteries. This matters because heart disease begins when plaque forms, builds up and calcifies in the arteries.
Seconds count. A heart attack is a medical emergency. If you experience the symptoms of a heart attack, call 911 immediately.
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