What is the medical term for a heart attack caused by reduced blood supply to the heart?

The term that specifically refers to a heart attack caused by reduced blood supply to the heart is myocardial infarction. This condition occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, often by a blood clot, leading to damage or death of heart muscle tissue. The term "myocardial" pertains to the heart muscle, and "infarction" relates to tissue death due to insufficient blood supply.

Recognizing this concept is crucial in understanding the pathophysiology of heart attacks, which can significantly impact diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. In contrast, cardiac arrest refers to a sudden loss of heart function, angina pectoris is chest pain due to reduced blood flow to the heart that typically happens before a heart attack, and coronary artery disease refers to the narrowing of the coronary arteries which can lead to myocardial infarction but is not synonymous with a heart attack itself.