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What is the medical term for "heart attack"?

The medical term for "heart attack" is myocardial infarction. During a heart attack, blood flow is reduced through one of the main arteries, resulting in the death of many heart muscle cells.

Heart attacks are among the leading causes of death in the United States; 33 percent of heart attack victims die within 20 days after the attack. Almost half of those deaths occur immediately, before the patient even arrives at the hospital. The actual recovery rate varies with the size and location of the arterial blockage and extent of damage. The possibility of recovery from a heart attack improves if vigorous treatment begins immediately.

Sources: Diseases and Disorders Handbook, pp. 491-96; Professional Guide to Diseases, 4th ed., pp. 1069-73.

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