HEART ATTACK Meaning and
Definition
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A heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, is a critical medical condition that occurs when the blood flow to a part of the heart muscle becomes blocked or severely reduced, resulting in the damage or death of that specific area of the heart. It is typically caused by the formation of a blood clot or plaque buildup within the coronary arteries, which supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle.
The symptoms of a heart attack may vary for each individual, but commonly include intense chest pain or discomfort that may radiate to the arms, back, jaw, neck, or stomach. Other symptoms may involve shortness of breath, cold sweats, nausea, light-headedness, and an overwhelming feeling of anxiety or impending doom. Prompt medical attention is crucial, as delays in treatment may lead to severe complications or even be fatal.
Diagnosis of a heart attack often involves a combination of medical history evaluation, physical examination, electrocardiogram (ECG), blood tests to measure cardiac enzymes, and imaging techniques such as echocardiogram or coronary angiography. Treatment options usually involve restoring blood flow to the blocked coronary artery, alleviating symptoms, preventing additional complications, and promoting recovery. These treatments may include medications, procedures like angioplasty or stent placement, or in severe cases, coronary artery bypass surgery.
Lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, adopting a nutritious diet, engaging in regular physical activity, managing stress, and controlling conditions like hypertension or diabetes can significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks.
Common Misspellings for HEART ATTACK
- geart attack
- beart attack
- neart attack
- jeart attack
- ueart attack
- yeart attack
- hwart attack
- hsart attack
- hdart attack
- hrart attack
- h4art attack
- h3art attack
- hezrt attack
- hesrt attack
- hewrt attack
- heqrt attack
- heaet attack
- headt attack
- heaft attack
Etymology of HEART ATTACK
The word "heart attack" is composed of two parts: "heart" and "attack".
The term "heart" originates from the Old English word "heorte" which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "khertan". This, in turn, derives from the Proto-Indo-European root "kerd", meaning "heart" or "center".
The word "attack" comes from Old French "ataquier", which means "to attack" or "to join battle". It has multiple Latin roots, including "attaccare" and "taccare", with similar meanings.
In the medical context, the term "heart attack" was first used around the late 19th century to describe a sudden and severe medical condition characterized by the insufficient supply of blood to the heart muscle, typically due to a blockage in one or more of the coronary arteries.
Idioms with the word HEART ATTACK
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nearly/almost have a heart attack
The idiom "nearly/almost have a heart attack" is used figuratively to describe a sudden, extreme reaction of fear, shock, or extreme emotional distress, often causing physical symptoms similar to a heart attack. It implies that something has greatly startled or shocked a person, causing a temporary loss of composure or control.
Similar spelling word for HEART ATTACK
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