What is a heart attack also known as?

A heart attack is medically referred to as a myocardial infarction. This term specifically describes the event where blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, leading to damage or death of heart muscle tissue due to lack of oxygen. The word "myocardial" pertains to the heart muscle, and "infarction" indicates a region of tissue that has died due to insufficient blood supply. Understanding this terminology is critical, as it can help in recognizing symptoms and understanding treatment options related to cardiovascular health. The other terms listed do not relate to heart attacks; dementia refers to a decline in cognitive function, colostomy is a surgical procedure related to the digestive system, and edema describes swelling caused by fluid retention.