Heart Attacks. Myocardial Infarcts | Coronary Infarcts. The standard explanation of heart disease is based upon assumptions, statistics and interpretation. Plaque and cholesterol are indeed found within the arteries of some heart attack patients. This cannot be denied. Plaque and cholesterol creating a blockage initiating a heart attack though, is an interpretation. We are told that high blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, family history, lack of exercise and fatty diets are all potential culprits.