What is a heart attack?

The heart muscle itself is called the myocardium.  When blood flow to this muscle is significantly reduced or even stopped, a heart attack occurs.  Myocardial infarction is the medical term for a heart attack.  High cholesterol levels in the blood causes buildups along the arterial walls which acts like a waxy trap for other particles passing by. 

This eventually builds up on the walls of the artery and when it gets built up, it can slow down the flow of blood in that blood vessel.  Sometimes a piece of this waxy buildup can break off and flow directly to the heart (myocardium) and cause a blockage.  In both cases a heart attack (myocardial infarction) can occur.  This buildup of the waxy cholesterol and surrounding particles is referred to as plaque.  The process by which it builds up against the arterial wall is called atherosclerosis.  A heart attack can also be referred to as a coronary thrombosis or a coronary occlusion.

Once this happens the blood flow is limited or cut off from the heart.  Blood carries the necessary elements for the cells in the heart muscle to perform.  If the heart is cutoff from the blood supply long enough permanent damage to the myocardium can occur.  When this happens the capacity to kill or disable someone is very real.  Depending on how much the heart muscle is damaged during this process dictates the level of disability with the person who suffered from it.