Medical Term Definition

Myocardial Infarction

Myocardial infarction is the death of heart muscle caused by an acute interruption or severe reduction of its blood supply.

The heart muscle receives oxygen-rich blood through the coronary arteries. When blood flow is severely reduced or blocked for long enough, part of the heart muscle becomes ischemic and can undergo irreversible injury and death, resulting in a myocardial infarction.

A myocardial infarction is commonly called a heart attack. It can cause symptoms such as chest pressure or discomfort, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or pain that spreads to the arm, shoulder, back, neck, or jaw. Some people, however, may have less typical symptoms or few noticeable symptoms.

QUICK FACT

Myocardial infarction is not simply the same thing as ischemia. Ischemia means inadequate blood supply; myocardial infarction occurs when the resulting injury progresses to death of heart muscle.

COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH

Cardiac arrest: A myocardial infarction is a problem involving blood supply to and injury of heart muscle. Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood effectively. A heart attack can sometimes trigger cardiac arrest, but they are not the same condition.

SEE ALSO