heart attack

American  

noun

Pathology.

1. damage to an area of heart muscle that is deprived of oxygen, usually due to blockage of a diseased coronary artery, typically accompanied by chest pain radiating down one or both arms, the severity of the attack varying with the extent and location of the damage; myocardial infarction.

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heart attack British  

noun

1. any sudden severe instance of abnormal heart functioning, esp coronary thrombosis

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heart attack Scientific  

1. Necrosis of a region of the heart muscle caused by an interruption in the supply of blood to the heart, usually as a result of occlusion of a coronary artery resulting from coronary artery disease. Symptoms typically include sudden, crushing chest pain, nausea, and sweating. Characteristic changes in the electrocardiogram are used to diagnose heart attacks.

2. Also called myocardial infarction

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heart attack Cultural  

1. An episode of heart failure or the stopping of normal heart function; a coronary thrombosis. Symptoms of a heart attack include pain and pressure in the chest, which often spread to the shoulder, arm, and neck. Today, physicians tend to define heart attack in terms of muscle damage to the heart caused by oxygen deprivation.

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Etymology

Origin of heart attack

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Hagi was appointed Romania's manager for the second time in April, taking over from Mircea Lucescu, who died at the age of 80 following a heart attack.

From BBC • May 26, 2026

For decades, beta blockers have been one of the routine drugs many patients receive after a heart attack.

From Science Daily • May 25, 2026

Asked by an audience member whether she would go into the jungle she said: "When you see the snakes around their heads, I think I would have a heart attack."

From BBC • May 25, 2026

The REDUCE-AMI trial, published in 2024, also found no significant reduction in death or another heart attack among patients with preserved heart function who received beta blockers after myocardial infarction.

From Science Daily • May 25, 2026

I’m too young to have a heart attack, right?

From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh

Related Words

• cardiovascular disease
• congestive heart failure