What is the medical term for a heart attack?

The medical term for a heart attack is myocardial infarction. This term specifically refers to the condition that occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, typically by a clot in a coronary artery, leading to damage to the heart muscle. Understanding this term breaks it down into its components: "myo" refers to muscle, "cardial" pertains to the heart, and "infarction" means tissue death due to lack of blood supply.

This definition highlights the critical nature of ensuring adequate blood flow to the heart, which is vital for maintaining its function. Recognizing that myocardial infarction is distinct from other terms helps in understanding cardiovascular health better. For instance, "cardiac arrest" describes a sudden stoppage of heart function, which is a different and more immediate emergency. "Cerebrovascular accident" refers to a stroke, while "coronary artery disease" describes the condition that often leads to a heart attack but is not synonymous with the event itself. Therefore, myocardial infarction is the precise and medically recognized term for a heart attack, capturing the specific event and the underlying pathology involved.