a heart attack is an event that occurs when part of the heart muscle does not get enough blood and oxygen. this part of the heart starts to die.
a heart attack most often happens because blood flow through one or more of the coronary arteries is blocked. this blockage is usually caused by a blood clot that forms when plaque in the artery breaks open.
quick treatment that restores blood flow to the heart can help save lives.
the medical name for a heart attack is myocardial infarction, or mi. it may also be called acute coronary syndrome.