A widow maker heart attack occurs when a blood clot or plaque completely blocks the left anterior descending (LAD) artery, one of the arteries around the heart.

The medical term for a widow maker heart attack is an anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Each year, about 805,000 people in the United States have a heart attack, which happens when a portion of the heart does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood.

The severity of a heart attack varies depending on the underlying cause, the person’s overall health status, and how quickly they receive treatment.

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A widow maker heart attack occurs when a blockage forms in the LAD artery, completely restricting blood flow to a large portion of the heart, including the front part, which is the “workhorse” of the heart. A blockage in the LAD artery can substantially impair the heart’s function.

Within just a few seconds or minutes after the blockage forms, the heart muscle may become extremely weak, stop working, or have electrical instability that causes it to stop pumping. If the restoration of blood flow does not happen quickly, the heart muscle may die irreversibly.

Most heart attacks occur as a result of coronary artery disease (CAD). People develop CAD when cholesterol-rich deposits called plaque accumulate in the coronary arteries that supply the heart with oxygen-rich blood. The buildup of plaque inside the artery walls is called atherosclerosis.

Widow maker heart attacks have severe consequences. Even if a person receives treatment, the heart attack can cause irreversible tissue damage and scarring that can permanently affect the functioning of the heart muscle.

A widow maker heart attack causes symptoms similar to those of other types of heart attack. However, not everyone experiences the same symptoms.

Symptoms of a heart attack may include:

Anyone who thinks that they or another person may be having a heart attack should call 911 or ask someone to drive them to the nearest emergency room immediately.

Doctors can minimize damage to the heart and even stop a heart attack entirely if they administer treatment early on.

At the emergency room, people may receive one or more of the following treatments:

  • aspirin and blood thinner therapy to prevent further blood clotting
  • oxygen therapy
  • nitroglycerin to improve blood flow
  • thrombolytic medicines to dissolve blood clots in the coronary arteries

A doctor can treat a total LAD artery blockage with a procedure called a primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Doctors previously referred to this as an angioplasty with a stent.

This procedure involves the following steps:

  1. A doctor inserts a catheter into the artery in the groin or wrist.
  2. The doctor guides the catheter through the artery until it reaches the LAD artery.
  3. They may suction the clot or inflate the balloon on the tip of the catheter, which helps open the artery. Sometimes, they may do both.
  4. Then, they insert a mesh tube called a stent into the artery. Once in place, the stent expands to hold the artery open so that oxygenated blood can flow to the heart.

Healthcare professionals will closely monitor a person’s recovery after a heart attack. Usually, the person will need to spend a few days in the hospital, with the first 24 hours in the intensive care unit.

A doctor may recommend surgery if they find blockages in other arteries. Surgical procedures that can treat and prevent heart attacks include:

  • A coronary artery bypass graft: This restores blood flow to the heart by rerouting the blood through a graft (a vein or artery vessel) so that it goes around the blockage.
  • Left heart catheterization or coronary angiogram: This diagnostic procedure involves injecting dye into heart arteries via a catheter to make them visible on an X-ray. An interventional cardiologist may then place a stent or PCI in the blocked artery to restore blood flow.
  • A valve replacement: This involves replacing a damaged or diseased heart valve with a healthy one. The replacement valve usually comprises cow or pig heart tissue or is a mechanical metal heart valve.

The authors of one 2018 study found that widow maker heart attacks led to the highest increased risk of death, heart failure, and stroke in comparison with other types of heart attack.

However, the likelihood that someone will survive a widow maker heart attack depends on numerous factors, such as:

  • how quickly they receive treatment
  • the type of treatment they receive
  • the extent of damage to the heart muscle
  • the person’s overall health status
  • the presence of other medical conditions

The following risk factors can lower a person’s chances of surviving a heart attack:

Medical advances have significantly increased heart attack survival rates. However, people who survive their first heart attack have a higher risk of having a second heart attack or a stroke compared with people who have never had a heart attack.

People can reduce their risk of having a heart attack by making healthful lifestyle choices and managing any underlying medical conditions that may contribute to a heart attack.

People of all ages and those currently living with heart disease can help prevent heart attacks by:

People can also take medications that lower their blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

However, it is important to speak with a doctor before starting any new medication, even over-the-counter drugs, such as aspirin. Studies have shown that low dose aspirin may not be beneficial except in people who have already had a prior heart attack or stroke or those who have specific risk factors, such as diabetes.

A widow maker heart attack occurs when a blood clot or cholesterol plaque completely blocks the LAD artery, which supplies oxygen-rich blood to the front of the heart.

The total blockage of the LAD artery is a serious problem that requires immediate treatment. Delayed treatment for a heart attack can lead to significant tissue damage and scarring. It can be life threatening or lead to permanent disability.

Not all heart attacks start with crushing chest pain or arm numbness. Some heart attacks come on slowly, causing only mild discomfort or no symptoms of chest discomfort at all. Some people may not even realize that they have had a heart attack.

As the symptoms of a heart attack vary from person to person, it is vital to learn as much information about them as possible.

People can start by asking their doctor about their heart health and how to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease.