Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)
- What it is
What is a heart attack?
The heart is a fist-size organ, which lies in the centre of the chest. Its main function is to pump blood to the lungs where the blood is replenished with oxygen, and then subsequently pump the blood to the rest of the body to allow it to function properly. For the heart to function properly, it has to receive blood rich in oxygen via blood vessels, called coronary arteries.
A heart attack (also known as myocardial infarction (MI)) occurs when there is a sudden, complete obstruction of blood flow in the coronary artery. The part of the heart muscle which does not receive blood would be at risk of injury or damage. Eventually, scar tissue will replace parts of the heart muscle which have died due to the lack of blood flow.
A heart attack is a serious condition that requires emergency treatment. It usually involves blood-thinning medication and
coronary angioplasty to quickly remove the blockage in the affected coronary artery, allowing blood to flow. In some cases,
coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), an open heart surgery, may be required.
Heart Attack: What You Should Know
