Description

Prolonged ischemic conditions (a decrease in blood supply to an organ) can lead to the death, or necrosis, of the affected tissue. When this occurs in the heart, it is called myocardial infarction, or heart attack. Whereas angina is a result of a reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, myocardial infarction occurs as a result of a sudden and complete interruption of blood supply to a portion of the heart. This three-course suite describes the causes of myocardial infarction, the tools used to assess and diagnose the condition, and the available treatment options.