Final answer:
A myocardial infarction, or heart attack, is caused by ischemia leading to hypoxia and death of cardiac muscle cells, often due to blocked coronary arteries. An infarct forms scar tissue which can disrupt electrical signals, resulting in heart block, and an irregular heartbeat condition.
Step-by-step explanation:
Explanation of Myocardial Infarction and Heart Block:
A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, is a serious condition that occurs due to ischemia, which is an insufficient blood flow, leading to hypoxia, or a lack of oxygen to the heart muscle. This often results from a blockage in the coronary arteries, usually caused by a buildup of atherosclerotic plaque. The blockage can fully or partially obstruct blood flow, causing the death of the cardiac muscle tissue downstream. Hypoxia may ensue, leading to cell death and possibly a heart block, which is a disturbance in the electrical pathways of the heart, causing an irregular heartbeat.
When a person has severe ischemia, areas of the heart muscle begin to die due to lack of oxygen, leading to an infarct, or scar tissue. Over time, this damage can interrupt the normal electrical signals within the heart, resulting in a heart block. Heart block can manifest as different types, ranging from a minor delay or complete blockage of the electrical signals, potentially requiring medical intervention such as a pacemaker.