How does a heart attack happen due to tension?

 How does a heart attack happen due to tension (stress)? 

Having a heart attack due to depression, distress, or an emergency is not a simple matter, nor are these conditions the primary cause of a heart attack.

So here's what actually happens: every living organ or tissue needs a continuous blood supply to stay alive, as it provides oxygen and nutrients.

The tissues of the heart also require this blood supply, which they receive through the coronary arteries. However, due to conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, these blood vessels (including those supplying the heart) can develop a type of internal injury. Cholesterol then starts to accumulate in these injured areas, forming bulges known as plaques, which narrow the arteries and reduce blood flow.

Now, what happens during a heart attack? Typically, due to some reason (often high blood pressure), these plaques rupture — meaning the internal injury in the artery tears open. Blood platelets rush to this site and form a clot. This clot significantly blocks the blood flow in that artery. If this clot is in a coronary artery, it blocks the blood supply to the heart tissues, causing the heart cells to die — which is the beginning of a heart attack.

So, what role does tension or stress play in all of this? During a stressful or emergency situation, the brain releases certain hormones to help the body cope with the situation. These hormones increase blood pressure and heart rate to prepare the body for action. As a result, the heart comes under more strain.

If a person is healthy, this usually isn't a problem. But if someone already has narrowed or damaged arteries (as described above), the rise in blood pressure and rapid heartbeat can trigger plaque rupture and clot formation, leading to a heart attack.

In summary, stress or tension is not a direct cause of heart attacks but can worsen an already dangerous condition and trigger a heart attack in someone with pre-existing heart issues.