What term describes a heart attack caused when a clot blocks blood and oxygen to the heart?

• A. Arrhythmia
• B. Sickle cell anemia
• C. Varicose veins
• D. Myocardial infarction

Answer: (D)

A heart attack happens when a coronary artery becomes blocked, cutting off blood flow and oxygen to part of the heart muscle. When this blockade continues, the affected heart tissue dies. The correct term for this event is myocardial infarction. “Myocardial” refers to the heart muscle, and “infarction” means tissue death due to loss of blood supply, so this name precisely describes a heart attack caused by a clot. The other options don’t fit: an arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm, sickle cell anemia is a blood disorder, and varicose veins are swollen veins in the legs.