myocardial infarction

Myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, is a serious medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart muscle is suddenly blocked. This lack of blood flow can damage or destroy heart tissue, which can lead to heart failure, arrhythmias, and even death.

Causes of myocardial infarction:

Coronary artery disease: The most common cause of myocardial infarction is a buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries, which are the blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle. This plaque buildup can narrow the arteries and eventually block them completely.
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www.cdc.gov
Coronary artery disease diagram
Blood clot: A blood clot can form in a narrowed coronary artery and completely block it, causing a heart attack.
Spasm of a coronary artery: A spasm of a coronary artery can temporarily block blood flow to the heart muscle, causing a heart attack.
Symptoms of myocardial infarction:

Chest pain: This is the most common symptom of a heart attack and is often described as a crushing or squeezing pain in the center or left side of the chest. The pain may radiate to the arms, neck, jaw, or back.
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www.heart.org
Chest pain heart attack location
Shortness of breath: This can occur because the heart is not able to pump enough blood to the rest of the body.
Nausea and vomiting: These symptoms can occur because the heart attack is causing stress on the body.
Sweating: This is a common symptom of a heart attack and can be cold or clammy.
Lightheadedness or dizziness: This can occur because the heart is not able to pump enough blood to the brain.
Fatigue: This can occur because the heart attack is draining the body's energy.