A widow maker heart attack occurs when there is a complete blockage in the left main coronary artery, and the name “widow maker” comes from the fact that this type of heart attack can be deadly and sudden. We’ll discuss five great ways to support heart health and potentially reduce your risk.
A widow maker heart attack sounds ominous, and frankly speaking, it is a dangerous blockage in the heart that can cause immediate death. The medical term for this type of heart attack is “anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).” Plaque buildup in the coronary arteries can narrow or block blood flow to the heart, causing chest pain, shortness of breath, and, in some cases, heart attacks. When the left main coronary artery, which supplies blood to the left side of the heart, becomes completely blocked, a widow maker heart attack can occur; this can lead to significant tissue damage and life-threatening complications if the heart muscle is deprived of oxygen and nutrients.
Although prompt treatment can help restore blood flow and limit the extent of heart damage, some tissue damage and scarring may be irreversible, causing permanent heart damage. To reduce the risk of heart attacks and other serious complications, prevention and early detection of coronary artery disease are crucial.
You May Also Like:
Melatonin and Alcohol: 5 Dangers of Combining the Popular Sleep Supplement With Alcohol
What Is Cardiac Atrophy? 5 Science-backed Supplement Ingredients That May Boost Heart Health
A great way to reduce the likelihood of a widow maker heart attack
There are simple tasks that can help you live a long and healthy life, such as modifying your diet and eating the right foods. A balanced diet provides energy and helps maintain a healthy weight to avoid complications arising from obesity and concomitant Type II diabetes. An often-recommended diet is the DASH diet.
The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) eating plan is a well-researched and widely recommended dietary pattern that can help prevent and control hypertension (high blood pressure) and promote overall health. The plan emphasizes nutrient-dense foods and limits foods high in saturated fats, sugars, and sodium.
Among the nutrients that are recommended in the DASH eating plan are fiber, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and unsaturated fats, which are found in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, nuts, beans, vegetable oils, fish, and poultry. Consuming a diet rich in these foods can help lower blood pressure, improve lipid profiles, and reduce chronic disease risk.
Overall, the DASH eating plan provides a balanced and flexible approach to healthy eating that can be adapted to individual preferences and needs. In order to achieve optimal health, it’s important to consume a variety of nutrient-dense foods in appropriate portions.
Another good way to mitigate widow maker heart attack
While the widow maker heart attack may have its basis in genetics, if anyone in your family has suffered a heart attack, there’s a chance that you might experience one as well. It has been long believed that high levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL), often termed the “good cholesterol,” are associated with a healthier heart.
However, a National Institutes of Health-sponsored study published in September 2021 in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that while higher HDL cholesterol levels were associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease events among White and Chinese Americans, this association was not significant among Black and Hispanic/Latino participants. The researchers concluded that HDL cholesterol may not be an effective biomarker for predicting cardiovascular disease risk in diverse populations.
Stop smoking to mitigate widow maker heart attack
Smoking cigarettes and uncontrolled diabetes play a significant role in increasing the risk of a widow maker heart attack. Research suggests that smokers are 30 to 40 percent more likely to develop type 2 diabetes compared to nonsmokers. In addition to making management of the disease and regulation of insulin levels more difficult, smoking can also lessen the effectiveness of insulin, requiring smokers to use more insulin to control their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes, in turn, can lead to a variety of health problems, including blindness, kidney failure, amputation at the extremities, and heart disease. Therefore, the severity of smoke inhalation for people suffering from heart-related ailments cannot be overstated.
Weight management and exercise may help lower risk of widow maker heart attack
Consuming fatty foods, which can lead to obesity, puts pressure on the heart to work harder. In addition, there is a propensity for people to eat highly salted foods and sugary foods, which also contribute to weight gain. Therefore, an active exercise program is essential for reducing and maintaining a healthy weight, as it can help reduce stress on the heart.
Reduce stress to potentially lower risk of widow maker heart attack
One of the major causes of heart disease is stress. Studies suggest that long-term stress can increase cortisol levels, leading to elevated levels of blood cholesterol, triglycerides, blood sugar, and blood pressure, all of which are risk factors associated with heart disease. Stress can also cause changes in the arteries that promote plaque buildup. Regular exercise, moderate to low consumption of alcohol, and meditation are some recommended ways to reduce stress and maintain a healthy heart.
Consuming antioxidants and energy enhancers may help avoid widow maker heart attack
As we age, our CoQ10 levels decrease, and taking cholesterol-reducing drugs, such as statins, can also lower CoQ10 production. MitoQ is a supplement that has the advantage of being fully absorbed in the gut and goes directly to the mitochondria to promote energy production, which is critical for maintaining a healthy heart and reducing the risk of a widow maker heart attack.
Interestingly, both CoQ10 and MitoQ (a synthetic positively-charged derivative of CoQ10) have been associated with healthier hearts, as they can help reduce arterial inflammation and endothelial dysfunction that lead to atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in the arteries and veins). In a well-planned mice study, MitoQ was found to help reduce liver steatosis, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertriglyceridemia, while also decreasing inflammation, cell proliferation, and DNA oxidation within the atherosclerotic plaques.
MitoQ Ltd., a subsidiary of Antipodean Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is a New Zealand-based company founded on the discovery of a targeted antioxidant derivative of Coenzyme Q10 called MitoQ, which has the ability to target mitochondria at the cellular level. MitoQ® has since had a significant impact on cellular health worldwide.
Maintaining a healthy heart
Making healthy choices regarding diet, exercise, and lifestyle habits is an important part of preserving a healthy heart. Eating a balanced diet that is low in saturated and trans fats, salt, and added sugars can help reduce your risk of developing heart disease. Additionally, regular physical activity, avoiding smoking, and limiting alcohol consumption are all beneficial for keeping your heart strong. Taking antioxidants that support energy production in the mitochondria and reducing stress through exercise and meditation are excellent ways to maintain heart health. Regular check-ups with a doctor to monitor your health are also recommended. Ultimately, maintaining consistent healthy habits is key to preserving a healthy heart.
Further reading:
Cleveland Clinic: Widow-maker Heart Attack
Health.gov: Keep Your Heart Healthy
Mayo Clinic: DASH diet: Healthy eating to lower your blood pressure
Heart Foundation: Keeping your Heart Healthy
Important Note: The information contained in this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be construed as health or medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or health condition. Before embarking on any diet, fitness regimen, or program of nutritional supplementation, it is advisable to consult your healthcare professional in order to determine its safety and probable efficacy in terms of your individual state of health.
Regarding Nutritional Supplements Or Other Non-Prescription Health Products: If any nutritional supplements or other non-prescription health products are mentioned in the foregoing article, any claims or statements made about them have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and such nutritional supplements or other health products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Table of Contents
