The widowmaker is a partial or full blockage of the left
anterior descending (LAD) artery of the heart. The LAD supplies blood to the
left ventricle which pumps blood to the rest of the body (Conjecture Corporation, 2015). When this artery is
occluded, the rest of the body, as well as the heart, are deprived of oxygen.
Because the heart is not getting enough blood and is not pumping properly, a
person suffers from a myocardial infarction, also known as a heart attack. Because
the LAD is a major source for blood to the heart, blockage induces a massive
heart attack, and those who suffer one often die, creating the nickname
widowmaker (Conjecture Corporation, 2015).
(Lee Memorial Health System, 2015)
Heart attacks are most often caused by build-up of fat and
cholesterol which form a plaque in the arteries; this plaque blocks blood flow
and damages the heart muscle (Mayo 2015). The plaque can rupture and a
blood clot forms, depending on the size of the clot it can completely block
blood flow through the coronary arteries (Mayo 2015).
Risk factors (Mayo 2015).
- Tobacco use – smoking and long-term exposure to secondhand smoke
- High blood pressure – can damage arteries by speeding up narrowing of the arteries
- High blood cholesterol or triglyceride levels – high levels of LDL cholesterol can narrow arteries, high levels of HDL lowers risk of heart attack
- Diabetes – causes high blood sugar levels which increases risk for heart attack
- Family history if heart attack
- Lack of physical activity – contributes to obesity and high cholesterol levels
- Obesity – association with high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and triglyceride increases risk
- Stress
- Illegal drug use – can cause spasm of coronary arteries
Conjecture corporation.What is a Widow Maker? (2003-2015). Retrieved January 24, 2015, from http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-a-widow-maker.htm#comments
Lee Memorial Health System. Watching Out For the Widow Maker.
(2014, March 7). Retrieved January 18, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uSmUagTtsA
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Heart attack. (1998-2015). Retrieved January 25, 2015, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-attack/basics/definition/con-20019520
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