What is a widow maker heart attack?

It’s a phrase you may hear when someone has passed away following a heart attack, or when they discuss the good fortune of surviving one. “They say it was a widow maker.” But what does having a widow maker heart attack actually mean, and how is it different?

Interventional cardiologist Sandeep Jalli, DO, explained what a widow maker heart attack is, how it is treated and what steps you can take to live a more heart-healthy lifestyle.

What is a widow maker heart attack?

“The phrase ‘widow maker heart attack’ is a way of describing a significant occlusion, or blockage, of the left anterior descending coronary artery,” said Dr. Jalli. “This specific vessel supplies blood to nearly half of your heart muscle, so heart attacks involving this artery are commonly considered more dangerous.”

Calling something a widow maker was first used in the late 16^th and early 17^th centuries. While it originally referred to any cause of sudden death in men that would leave behind grieving widows, its most common modern usage today is for heart attacks.

Symptoms of a widow maker heart attack

“The traditional symptoms of a heart attack include chest pain or pressure, potentially radiating to the arm, neck or jaw,” said Dr. Jalli. “This may be accompanied by sweating, as many heart attack survivors will report breaking into a cold or sudden, severe sweat.”

For many, especially women, these stereotypical symptoms of a heart attack may not occur. Instead, women often feel more pressure than pain, strong nausea, indigestion or a ‘sense of impending doom.’ Some people may even have what’s called a ‘silent heart attack,’ where the symptoms that would normally clue them in that something is wrong are entirely absent.

What is the treatment for heart attacks?

“If you suspect you are having a heart attack or you are experiencing any symptoms like chest pain or pressure, head to the emergency room or call 911 immediately,” said Dr. Jalli. “Don’t wait! Heart attacks can have very severe consequences and can be fatal. Once you’re in the emergency room, your medical team has options for treating you based on your condition.”

Coronary angioplasty is a procedure where the blocked artery is widened using a tiny balloon on a catheter carefully threaded through the artery, while a coronary artery bypass involves bypassing the blocked artery entirely by creating a new path for blood to move around it. A stent, or small hollow tube, may be placed to ensure the space remains open and unblocked.

What can you do to prevent a widow maker heart attack? 

“Heart attack prevention really is based in your overall lifestyle,” said Dr. Jalli. “Eat a healthy diet – the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology both recommend a Mediterranean diet, which relies heavily on lean proteins like fish and beans and focuses on lots of fresh vegetables and fruits.”

It’s also essential to help build up healthy muscle by exercising regularly. That could be as simple as a brisk walk every night after dinner, setting up a regular time to do laps in a swimming pool, trying out Prisma Health’s own MoveWell workouts or spending time at the gym.

If you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels, work with your doctor on treating those to get them under control. Untreated high blood pressure is one of the largest risk factors for a future heart attack, and high levels of cholesterol make it more likely that your arteries become clogged over time.