heart attack

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.

heart attack

noun

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

heart attack

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

heart attack

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of heart attack¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Just the text itself gave me a heart attack.

From Salon

Salmond died suddenly last month after having a heart attack while attending a conference in North Macedonia.

From BBC

The preliminary reason, according to a track veterinarian, was sudden death likely a heart attack.

From Los Angeles Times

In the notes of a physiotherapist that she had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and had received blood tests which indicated she had a heart attack, which Rachael said they had no idea about.

From BBC

Typically, the “spring forward” in the springtime, with its accompanying lost hour of sleep, is harder on people’s bodies and has been linked to an uptick in heart attacks and strokes.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cardiovascular disease
• congestive heart failure