heart attack

Definition of heart attack

: an acute episode of coronary heart disease marked by the death or damage of heart muscle due to insufficient blood supply to the heart usually as a result of a coronary artery becoming blocked by a blood clot formed in response to a ruptured or torn fatty arterial deposit

Note: Symptoms of heart attack include discomfort or pain in the chest, shoulder, arm, back, neck, or jaw, shortness of breath, dizziness or light-headedness, heartburn, nausea, excessive sweating, and extreme fatigue.

— called also myocardial infarction

Examples of heart attack in a Sentence

Her chest pains turned out to be caused by a minor heart attack. He died of a massive heart attack.

Recent Examples on the Web Joseph Ryan, the biological father of Tylee and Colby Ryan, died of an apparent heart attack in 2018 in Gilbert, KSAZ-TV reported. — Chelsea Curtis, USA TODAY, "2 Idaho kids still missing, mom said she was 'a god': What to know about her cult-like beliefs," 12 Feb. 2020 Hers is a story of deep tragedy and profound loss — she and her five brothers were sent to live with their grandparents after their mother was jailed and their previous caregiver, an aunt, died of a heart attack. — Holly V. Hays, Indianapolis Star, "State law kept her from attending Roncalli, School for the Deaf. So she got it changed.," 8 Feb. 2020 Joseph Ryan died of an apparent heart attack in 2018 in Gilbert, Fox 10 reported. — Chelsea Curtis, azcentral, "'She's got an end game': Grandma of 2 missing kids says mom missed deadline to show kids," 31 Jan. 2020 Mike Jacobs, baseball coach and athletics director at the University of Mobile, died Tuesday from an apparent heart attack. — Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, "University of Mobile baseball coach, AD Mike Jacobs has died," 4 Dec. 2019 Morgan died of an apparent heart attack, his brother, Sam, told the Dayton Daily News. — David Harten, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville basketball great Jim Morgan, member of the Cardinals 1956 NIT title team, dies," 3 Oct. 2019 One person suffered an apparent heart attack during the evacuation and was hospitalized, officials said. — BostonGlobe.com, "The Boston GlobeJosh Reynolds for The Boston Globe," 28 Sep. 2019 The 36-year-old Houston firefighter died Saturday evening after collapsing Saturday evening at his firehouse, Station 27, of an apparent heart attack. — St. John Barned-smith, Houston Chronicle, "Mourners gather to remember fallen Houston firefighter," 26 Sep. 2019 Arthur Sando, a veteran public relations executive, died of an apparent heart attack on Sept. 3 at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C. — Thr Staff, The Hollywood Reporter, "Veteran PR Executive Arthur Sando Dies at 71," 6 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'heart attack.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

16 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Heart attack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heart%20attack. Accessed 21 Feb. 2020.

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More Definitions for heart attack

heart attack

noun

English Language Learners Definition of heart attack

: a sudden painful and dangerous condition in which your heart stops beating properly

See the full definition for heart attack in the English Language Learners Dictionary

heart attack

noun

Medical Definition of heart attack

: an acute episode of coronary heart disease marked by the death or damage of heart muscle due to insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle usually as a result of a coronary artery becoming blocked by a blood clot formed in response to a ruptured or torn fatty arterial deposit

When a patient is in the throes of a heart attack, the physician's goal is restoring adequate blood flow to the starving heart muscle as swiftly as possible. — Harvard Medical School Health Letter, May 1993 It has long been known that aspirin helps prevent blood clots … and many studies have shown that the drug can reduce the incidence of heart attacks and strokes.— Peter Aldhous, Science, 7 Jan. 1994

— called also acute myocardial infarction, myocardial infarction

— compare angina pectoris, coronary insufficiency, heart failure sense 1

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