Myocardial infarction is also known as heart attack in layman's language. It is normally caused by a clot in one of the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart. It is an acute condition that requires urgent medical attention as it can be fatal. Its treatment usually involves a drug that can dissolve the clot and create a way for blood to recirculate through the heart. Other treatment modalities include surgical procedures that create an artificial blood vessel that bypasses the blocked artery. This type of procedure is known as coronary artery bypass surgery. Surgeries are performed to minimize damage to the heart if the blood supply is blocked for prolonged periods of time. The other treatments used are those that minimize pain and prevent the onset of complications. For preventive purposes, reducing various risk factors can help prevent the onset of a myocardial infarction. (Norris, 1982) In case of myocardial infarction, a coronary artery or even one of its smaller branches becomes blocked. This causes the part of the heart supplied by that artery to lose its blood supply. In retrospect, the affected part loses its oxygen supply and undergoes necrosis. Therefore, when a part of the heart is said to be infarcted, it means that that part of the heart muscle is damaged. The area affected depends on the size of the coronary artery that has been blocked. If a larger coronary artery is blocked, a larger portion of the heart muscle is affected. Conversely, if a smaller artery is affected, a smaller portion of the heart is affected. After a few weeks after the artery is blocked, the damaged part of the heart is replaced by scar tissue (Norris, 1982). minutes to about an hour. The pain can sometimes resemble indigestion or heartburn. In rare cases, a myocardial infarction can occur without any pain and, therefore, can only be diagnosed by an electrocardiogram. Some individuals may suddenly collapse if a large portion of the heart is affected. However, this is not very common. Myocardial infarction is diagnosed through the use of an electrocardiogram and blood tests that measure the level of troponin in the blood. Troponin is the protein molecule that is released into the bloodstream when the heart muscle is destroyed. Treatment of myocardial infarction involves the use of medications such as low-dose aspirin and antiplatelet drugs. Heparin injections and pain medications may also be given. (Donoso, Ephraim; Lipski, Janet;, 1978)