Final answer:
A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, is a condition where blood flow stops to a part of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscles and death of myocardial cells. It is usually caused by the complete blockage of a coronary artery.
Step-by-step explanation:
A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow stops to a part of the heart causing damage to the heart muscle and the death of myocardial cells. An MI usually occurs because of complete blockage of a coronary artery, often due to a blood clot or the rupture of a plaque. An MI can be confirmed by examining the patient's ECG, which frequently reveals alterations in the ST and Q components. Common blood tests indicating an MI include elevated levels of creatine kinase MB and cardiac troponin, both of which are released by damaged cardiac muscle cells.
The diagnosis of an MI can be confirmed through an ECG examination and blood tests that show elevated levels of creatine kinase MB and cardiac troponin.