Final answer:
A myocardial infarction (MI) is the medical term for a heart attack, which occurs due to inadequate blood flow and oxygen to part of the heart muscle, leading to cell death. It is essentially synonymous with a classic heart attack, a less medical term. MI can be a consequence of coronary artery disease (CAD), which progressively reduces blood flow to the heart muscle.
Step-by-step explanation:
Myocardial Infarction vs. Classic Heart Attack The official name for what is commonly known as a heart attack is myocardial infarction (MI). This medical condition occurs when there's a lack of blood flow (ischemia) and oxygen (hypoxia) to a part of the heart muscle, leading to the death of the cardiac muscle cells. A classic heart attack is essentially the same as an MI; the term 'heart attack' is a non-medical term widely used to describe the symptoms associated with myocardial infarction. The condition often arises from the blockage of a coronary artery caused by the buildup of atherosclerotic plaque, which comprises lipids, cholesterol, fatty acids, and white blood cells - primarily macrophages. Myocardial infarction differs from coronary artery disease (CAD), also known as coronary heart disease (CHD) or ischemic heart disease (IHD), which is a condition where atherosclerosis causes a buildup of plaque in the heart's arteries, leading to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle over time. Although CAD can be symptomatic with chest pain or angina, it may not have any symptoms until a myocardial infarction or a sudden cardiac event occurs.