Myocardial infarction

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI or MI), commonly known as a heart attack, is a serious, sudden heart condition usually characterized by varying degrees of chest pain or discomfort, weakness, sweating, nausea, vomiting, and arrhythmias, sometimes causing loss of consciousness. It occurs when a part of the heart muscle is injured, and this part may die because of sudden total interruption of blood flow to the area. It is often a life-threatening medical emergency which demands both immediate attention and activation of the emergency medical services.

Related Topics:
Heart - Chest pain - Nausea - Vomiting - Medical emergency - Emergency medical services

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The medical term myocardial infarction comes from "myo" referring to muscle, "cardium" referring to the heart (myocardium is the heart muscle) and "infarction" meaning tissue death, in this case caused by an obstruction of blood flow. (The phrase "heart attack" is occasionally used to refer to heart problems other than a myocardial infarction, such as unstable angina pectoris.)

Related Topics:
Muscle - Myocardium - Infarction - Angina pectoris

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