What is another name for a myocardial infarction?

A myocardial infarction is commonly known as a heart attack. This term describes the medical condition that occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, usually by a blood clot, leading to damage or death of heart muscle tissue due to lack of oxygen. Understanding the terminology is critical for medical assistants as they may need to communicate these conditions to patients or within a clinical setting.

The other terms mentioned are related to different medical conditions: a stroke refers to a disruption of blood flow to the brain, an aneurysm is a bulge in a blood vessel that can rupture, and arrhythmia pertains to irregular heartbeats. Each of these conditions has distinct causes and consequences, highlighting the importance of precise language in medical practice.