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heart attack

noun

Pathology.

damage to an area of heart muscle that is deprived of oxygen, usually due to blockage of a diseased coronary artery, typically accompanied by chest pain radiating down one or both arms, the severity of the attack varying with the extent and location of the damage; myocardial infarction.

heart attack

noun

any sudden severe instance of abnormal heart functioning, esp coronary thrombosis

heart attack

Necrosis of a region of the heart muscle caused by an interruption in the supply of blood to the heart, usually as a result of occlusion of a coronary artery resulting from coronary artery disease . Symptoms typically include sudden, crushing chest pain, nausea, and sweating. Characteristic changes in the electrocardiogram are used to diagnose heart attacks.
Also called myocardial infarction

heart attack

An episode of heart failure or the stopping of normal heart function; a coronary thrombosis . Symptoms of a heart attack include pain and pressure in the chest, which often spread to the shoulder, arm, and neck. Today, physicians tend to define heart attack in terms of muscle damage to the heart caused by oxygen deprivation.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of heart attack¹

First recorded in 1925–30

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Studies of cancer treatments, for example, or Alzheimer's disease or drug safety or heart attack risk are all topics at risk in the current war on sex differences research.

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Elena, 54, has fibromyalgia and arthritis, and her husband, 62, has had a heart attack.

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High blood pressure can lead to serious problems such as heart attacks or strokes, but the NHS says lifestyle changes and medication can help people remain healthy.

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They were still married and he was covered by her health insurance, which he needed as he rehabbed from the 12 strokes and six heart attacks he had while comatose.

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Didion’s husband of nearly 40 years, John Gregory Dunne, died of a massive heart attack at the couple’s dining room table in 2003.

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