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What is the medical term meaning disease or weakening of the heart muscle that diminishes cardiac function?

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Final answer:

Heart failure is the medical term for the weakening of the heart muscle that reduces its pumping ability, often related to Coronary Heart Disease or conditions like stenosis. Myocardial infarction, or heart attack, is a specific event that can exacerbate heart failure by causing the death of heart muscle cells.

Step-by-step explanation:

The medical term for a disease or weakening of the heart muscle that diminishes cardiac function is known as heart failure. This condition means that the heart can't pump with sufficient force to transport oxygenated blood to all the vital organs. Heart failure can evolve due to the cardiac muscle cells' endoplasmic reticula not functioning properly, leading to an insufficient number of calcium ions available for a sufficient contractile force. In severe cases, such as with a myocardial infarction (MI), which is commonly known as a heart attack, blocked blood flow can result in the death of heart muscle cells and further weaken cardiac function. Both Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) and conditions like stenosis, where heart valves become rigid, can contribute to heart failure by making it more difficult for the heart to pump efficiently.

User Dashon
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Final answer:

Heart failure is the medical term for the weakening of the heart muscle that reduces cardiac function. It typically stems from inadequate calcium ion supply due to dysfunctional endoplasmic reticula in cardiac muscle cells and can be associated with coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction.

Step-by-step explanation:

Medical Term for Disease of the Heart Muscle

The medical term for a disease or weakening of the heart muscle that diminishes cardiac function is heart failure. This condition occurs when the endoplasmic reticula of cardiac muscle cells do not function properly, leading to a deficient supply of calcium ions. This insufficiency hampers the muscle's ability to contract forcefully, which is crucial for pumping blood throughout the body. Heart failure can result from various conditions, including coronary artery disease (CAD), which involves a reduction of blood flow to the heart muscle due to a buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries. A related condition is myocardial infarction (MI) or heart attack, a severe manifestation of coronary heart disease caused by the complete blockage of blood flow to a section of the heart, resulting in the death of cardiac tissue.

User Athiththan
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