What Causes Heart Attacks? Heart Doctor Explains

From Korean War Autopsies to ApoB: the Fascinating Story of How We Discovered What Causes Heart Attacks.

-

A heart attack is a symptom.

Actual heart disease, or coronary artery disease, doesn’t begin with chest pain or shortness of breath. It starts silently, decades before symptoms are felt.

With our modern understanding, the first big clue came during the Korean War, when autopsies on young soldiers revealed plaque built up in their arteries long before symptoms appeared.

Since then, science has evolved from attributing heart attacks to cholesterol alone to understanding more precise risk factors: ApoB particles (including cholesterol), insulin resistance, inflammation, and knowing about genetic factors like Lipoprotein(a). These combine to damage the arteries, and that process starts much earlier than you realize.

-
Studies Mentioned:

Korean War Autopsy Studies (1950s):
Autopsies on young U.S. soldiers revealed that over 70% already had coronary plaque, showing heart disease begins decades before symptoms. This discovery shifted medicine’s focus toward early prevention and risk factors.

Seven Countries Study (Ancel Keys, 1958)
A landmark international study that linked high saturated-fat diets and serum cholesterol to heart-disease rates, introducing the “lipid hypothesis.” It established the foundation for dietary guidelines aimed at lowering cholesterol.

Framingham Heart Study (1948 - )
A long-term community study that identified the major cardiovascular risk factors: high cholesterol, hypertension, smoking, diabetes, and inactivity. It transformed prevention by quantifying how lifestyle influences heart disease risk.
-

Disclaimer: The contents of this video are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, nor to replace medical care. The information presented herein is accurate and conforms to the available scientific evidence to the best of the presenter/author's knowledge as of the time of posting. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding any medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of information contained in this channel/post.