US Medical Term · conditions
Heart Attack
Infarto de miocardio
Also: Ataque al corazón (regional variant)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Heart Attack |
| Spanish (Español) | Infarto de miocardio |
| Chinese (中文) | 心肌梗塞 |
| Korean (한국어) | 심장마비 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Nhồi máu cơ tim |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Atake sa Puso |
| Portuguese (Português) | Infarto do miocárdio |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | กล้ามเนื้อหัวใจตาย |
| Japanese (日本語) | 心臓発作 |
What it means
A heart attack, medically called a myocardial infarction, occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart muscle is blocked, causing that tissue to begin dying. The blockage is usually caused by a blood clot that forms at the site of plaque buildup in a coronary artery. Symptoms include chest pain or pressure, pain radiating to the arm or jaw, shortness of breath, sweating, and nausea. A heart attack is a medical emergency. Call 911 immediately. Fast treatment such as clot-dissolving drugs or stenting can restore blood flow and minimize permanent heart damage.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
I had a heart attack six weeks ago and I am following up to discuss my recovery plan.
Tuve un infarto hace seis semanas y estoy haciendo seguimiento para hablar sobre mi plan de recuperación.
After my heart attack, my doctor prescribed several new medications and I need clarification on each one.
Después de mi infarto, mi médico me recetó varios medicamentos nuevos y necesito aclaración sobre cada uno.
Does my insurance cover cardiac rehabilitation after a heart attack?
¿Mi seguro cubre la rehabilitación cardíaca después de un infarto?
Where you'll see it
Related ICD-10-CM category
I21 Acute myocardial infarctionRelated terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026