A WRITER'S GUIDE TO MURDER
TRIGGER-WARNING: Vivid descriptions of death and dead bodies.
There is no more reliable source of death (at least in stories - and in people who invent things like cars that run on water or are "political threats") than a heart attack. They can sound a little boring if you want something with more dramatic effect, but there are many ways to spice things up with a heart attack. In this guide, you'll get to know what a heart attack is and how it works, some creative ways to induce a heart attack along with more standard ones and how to describe someone having one.
What is a Heart Attack?
A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, occurs when the flow of oxygen-rich blood to a section of the heart muscle is blocked. This blockage is typically caused by the buildup of plaque (a mixture of fat, cholesterol, and other substances) in the coronary arteries, leading to a condition known as coronary artery disease. When a plaque ruptures, a blood clot forms, obstructing blood flow. If the blockage is not quickly resolved, the affected part of the heart muscle begins to die due to lack of oxygen.
Symptoms of a Heart Attack
Common symptoms of a heart attack include:
Chest Pain or Discomfort: Often described as a squeezing, pressure, fullness, or pain in the center or left side of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back.
Upper Body Discomfort: Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
Shortness of Breath: May occur with or without chest discomfort.
Other Symptoms: Breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, lightheadedness, or sudden dizziness.
Progression to Unconsciousness
The time it takes for a person to become unconscious during a heart attack varies widely depending on the severity of the attack and the individual’s health status. Here’s a general progression:
Initial Onset:
Minutes to Hours: The onset of symptoms can range from gradual to sudden. Chest pain or discomfort might be the first sign, followed by other symptoms.
Decreased Blood Flow:
Minutes: As the heart struggles to pump blood due to the blockage, blood pressure can drop, reducing blood flow to the brain. This can lead to lightheadedness, dizziness, and confusion.
Loss of Consciousness:
Several Minutes to Hours: If the heart attack causes severe damage or triggers dangerous heart rhythms (arrhythmias), such as ventricular fibrillation, the person may lose consciousness within minutes. In other cases, if the attack progresses more slowly, unconsciousness might not occur until hours later, if at all.
Time to Death
The time from the onset of a heart attack to death can vary greatly. Here are the key factors:
Immediate Risk:
Minutes: Sudden cardiac arrest can occur within minutes if a heart attack causes severe arrhythmias. Without immediate medical intervention (CPR and defibrillation), death can follow within minutes.
Critical Hours:
1-2 Hours: The first couple of hours are critical. Rapid medical treatment can prevent death by restoring blood flow to the heart. Without treatment, the risk of fatal outcomes increases significantly.
Progression:
Several Hours to Days: In some cases, a heart attack may cause extensive damage to the heart muscle over several hours or days, leading to heart failure and death if not adequately treated.
Heart Attack-Inducing Scenarios
Drug Overdose
A character overdoses on stimulants such as cocaine or methamphetamine at a party or during an intense scene.
Mechanism:
Intense Vasoconstriction: Stimulants cause blood vessels to constrict, significantly reducing their diameter and forcing the heart to pump harder to move blood through the narrowed passages.
High Blood Pressure: This increased resistance leads to elevated blood pressure, which puts additional stress on the heart muscle.
Increased Heart Rate: Stimulants accelerate the heart rate, pushing the heart to beat faster than normal. This heightened activity can lead to a myocardial infarction (heart attack) as the heart muscle becomes overworked and deprived of oxygen.
Lethality: An overdose can trigger an immediate heart attack due to the combination of high blood pressure and rapid heart rate, potentially leading to death within minutes if not treated promptly.
Scene Description: The character might collapse suddenly, clutching their chest and exhibiting signs of severe distress such as sweating, shortness of breath, and confusion. If medical help is not immediately available, the character's condition can deteriorate rapidly, leading to unconsciousness and death within minutes.
Ice Dart Gun
An assassin uses a dart gun to shoot a target with an ice dart containing a lethal toxin during a covert operation.
Mechanism:
Body Heat Melting Ice: Upon impact with the body, the ice dart quickly melts due to body heat.
Toxin Release: As the ice melts, it releases a potent toxin directly into the bloodstream, ensuring rapid distribution throughout the body.
Cardiac Arrest: The introduced toxin disrupts the heart's normal electrical activity, causing it to stop functioning. Depending on the toxin used, it may either cause severe arrhythmias or directly paralyze the heart muscle.
Lethality: Designed for immediate lethality, with no traceable evidence of the weapon or toxin once the ice melts. Death typically occurs within minutes.
Scene Description: The target might feel a slight sting from the dart but would otherwise be unaware of the impending danger. Within moments, they might experience dizziness, followed by sudden cardiac arrest, collapsing to the ground. The lack of external injury would make the cause of death appear mysterious and difficult to trace.
Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP)
A spy uses a handheld EMP device to neutralize an enemy during a high-stakes mission.
Mechanism:
Disrupted Electrical Signals: The EMP emits a burst of electromagnetic energy that interferes with the heart's natural electrical impulses. This disruption can halt the synchronized contractions of the heart muscle.
Arrhythmias: The disruption can cause the heart to beat irregularly (arrhythmias), making it inefficient at pumping blood.
Cardiac Arrest: In severe cases, the EMP can completely stop the heart's electrical activity, leading to cardiac arrest.
Lethality: The effect is immediate, causing sudden cardiac arrest. Without immediate medical intervention, such as CPR or defibrillation, death occurs within minutes.
Scene Description: The character might suddenly clutch their chest, their heart rhythm disrupted by the EMP. They would likely collapse almost immediately, their body going limp as they lose consciousness. The absence of any visible external force or injury would make the cause of death seem puzzling to onlookers.
Remote-Controlled Pacemaker Hack
A hacker takes control of a victim's pacemaker during a tense negotiation or a crucial public appearance.
Mechanism:
Malicious Commands: The hacker sends unauthorized commands to the pacemaker or ICD, disrupting its normal function.
Induced Arrhythmias: By sending erratic signals, the hacker can induce dangerous arrhythmias, causing the heart to beat too quickly, too slowly, or irregularly.
Heart Failure: The induced arrhythmias can lead to cardiac arrest if the heart is unable to pump blood effectively.
Lethality: Immediate, if the device is manipulated correctly, causing fatal arrhythmias or complete cessation of heart function.
Scene Description: The character might suddenly become disoriented, their heart racing or slowing erratically. They could clutch at their chest, struggle to breathe, and collapse. Onlookers might hear the beeping of the malfunctioning pacemaker just before the character falls unconscious and dies.
Sound Frequency Attack
A high-tech assassin uses an ultrasound device to emit disruptive frequencies during a covert operation.
Mechanism:
Disrupted Heart Function: Ultrasound waves at specific frequencies can interfere with the heart's electrical signals, causing it to beat irregularly.
Arrhythmias: The heart may begin to beat irregularly due to the disrupted signals, leading to severe arrhythmias.
Fibrillation: In extreme cases, the disruption can cause the heart to fibrillate, meaning it quivers instead of pumping blood effectively.
Lethality: Immediate to a few minutes, depending on the intensity and duration of the exposure.
Scene Description: The character might suddenly experience intense chest pain and dizziness as the sound waves disrupt their heart's rhythm. They could collapse, convulsing slightly before becoming still. The source of the attack would be invisible, leaving the cause of death mysterious.
Emotional Shock or Trauma
A character experiences a sudden, severe emotional shock, such as the unexpected death of a loved one or a traumatic revelation.
Mechanism:
Adrenaline Surge: The shock causes a massive release of adrenaline (epinephrine), preparing the body for a 'fight-or-flight' response. This hormone increases heart rate and blood pressure dramatically.
Heart Attack Trigger: The surge in adrenaline can overload the heart, especially in individuals with preexisting conditions, leading to a heart attack. The sudden increase in heart rate and blood pressure can cause the rupture of arterial plaques or induce arrhythmias.
Lethality: Can be immediate or occur within hours of the shock. The intense physiological response may trigger a fatal heart attack, especially if medical intervention is not available.
Scene Description: The character might gasp or cry out upon receiving the shock, clutching their chest. They could then collapse, pale and sweating, as their heart struggles and ultimately fails. The dramatic nature of the event would heighten the emotional impact of the scene.
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
A character with chronic high blood pressure experiences a sudden spike in blood pressure during a stressful situation.
Mechanism:
Artery Damage: Over time, chronic high blood pressure causes wear and tear on the arteries, making them more prone to damage and plaque buildup.
Plaque Buildup: Damaged arterial walls attract deposits of cholesterol, fats, and other substances, leading to the formation of plaques.
Heart Attack: Plaques can rupture, causing a blood clot to form and block the coronary arteries, resulting in a heart attack.
Lethality: High blood pressure can lead to a heart attack over time, particularly during acute spikes in blood pressure. The risk of death increases if the heart attack is severe and immediate medical intervention is not provided.
Scene Description: The character might appear increasingly agitated or stressed, their face reddening as their blood pressure spikes. They could suddenly clutch their chest and collapse, gasping for breath. Blood vessels in the eyes may burst, adding to the dramatic appearance of their sudden demise.
Jake Zuurbier, born in 2002, is a writer with a broad background. With a degree in both Business and Management, his work in writing is combined with a business in books & home decor, sports clothing & gear and multiple forms of other output like music or meditations. He has worked jobs in retail and horeca, ranging from working kitchen in a hotel-restaurant to a floor manager position in a clothing store.
In his free time, he is just as occupied. Photography, weight lifting, kickboxing, cooking and reading are amongst his hobbies.
To learn more, or get in contact, visit www.apolloimperium.com/jakezuurbier
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