Coronary thrombosis

Coronary thrombosis, myocardial infarction, or heart attack, one of the commonest causes of serious illness and death in Western countries. The coronary arteries, which supply the heart with oxygen and nutrients, may become diseased with atherosclerosis that reduces blood flow. Significant narrowing may lead to the clotting of blood (thrombosis) in the artery, which can cause sudden, complete obstruction and resulting damage to a substantial area of heart tissue. This may end in sudden death, usually due to abnormal heart rhythm that prevents effective pumping. Characteristic changes may be seen in the electrocardiograph following myocardial (heart muscle) damage, and enzymes appear in blood from the damaged heart muscle.

See also: Heart.