Which term describes a heart attack caused by the blockage of an artery?

Myocardial infarction (MI) refers specifically to a heart attack that occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, usually by a blood clot in a coronary artery. This blockage prevents oxygen-rich blood from reaching the heart muscle, leading to tissue damage or death if not resolved promptly. The term is derived from "myocardium," meaning heart muscle, and "infarction," referring to tissue death caused by lack of blood supply.

In contrast, cardiac arrest is a medical emergency where the heart suddenly stops beating, which can lead to death if not treated immediately, but it is not synonymous with a heart attack. Heart failure describes a chronic condition where the heart is unable to pump blood effectively, which is a progressive condition and differs from the acute event of a heart attack. Atrial fibrillation refers to an irregular and often rapid heart rhythm that can lead to a range of complications but is not directly a blockage of an artery nor synonymous with a heart attack. Therefore, myocardial infarction accurately describes the specific condition of a heart attack caused by arterial blockage.