Educational Content: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Definition of Acute myocardial infarction
Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026
Acute myocardial infarction: A heart attack.
The term "myocardial infarction" focuses on the heart muscle, which is called the myocardium,and the changes that occur in it due to the sudden deprivation of circulating blood. This is usually caused by arteriosclerosis with narrowing of the coronary arteries, the culminating event being a thrombosis (clot). The main change is death (necrosis) of myocardial tissue.
The word "infarction" comes from the Latin "infarcire" meaning "to plug up or cram." It refers to the clogging of the artery, which is frequently initiated by cholesterol piling up on the inner wall of the blood vessels that distribute blood to the heart muscle.