Which term is defined as a heart attack?

Which term is defined as a heart attack?

• A. Intermittent claudication
• B. Orthopnea
• C. Myocardial infarction
• D. Angina

Answer: (C)

A heart attack is defined as myocardial infarction—the death of heart muscle caused by a prolonged loss of blood supply from a blocked coronary artery. This happens when a plaque in a coronary vessel ruptures and a clot forms, interrupting blood flow and leading to tissue death. The resulting damage distinguishes an infarction from other conditions. Intermittent claudication is leg pain from reduced blood flow during activity; orthopnea is shortness of breath when lying flat due to heart failure; angina is chest pain from temporary, reversible ischemia without permanent heart muscle death.

A heart attack is defined as myocardial infarction—the death of heart muscle caused by a prolonged loss of blood supply from a blocked coronary artery. This happens when a plaque in a coronary vessel ruptures and a clot forms, interrupting blood flow and leading to tissue death. The resulting damage distinguishes an infarction from other conditions. Intermittent claudication is leg pain from reduced blood flow during activity; orthopnea is shortness of breath when lying flat due to heart failure; angina is chest pain from temporary, reversible ischemia without permanent heart muscle death.