Wisconsin CNA State Exam Vocabulary Practice

What happens when a blocked artery leads to a lack of blood supply to the heart?

1. Heart murmur

2. Heart attack

3. Cardiac failure

4. Cardiovascular arrest

The correct answer is: Heart attack

When a blocked artery leads to a lack of blood supply to the heart, it results in a heart attack, also known as myocardial infarction. This is a critical condition that occurs when the flow of oxygen-rich blood to a section of the heart muscle is significantly reduced or completely blocked. The blockage is commonly caused by a buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries, which narrows them and restricts blood flow. When the heart muscle does not receive adequate blood supply, it can start to die within a matter of minutes, leading to serious damage or death of the heart tissue. This manifests as chest pain, shortness of breath, and other symptoms, which necessitate immediate medical intervention to restore blood flow and limit heart damage. In contrast, the other options pertain to different cardiovascular conditions. A heart murmur is an abnormal sound during heartbeats, often resulting from turbulent blood flow, but it does not directly relate to a lack of blood supply. Cardiac failure refers to the heart's inability to pump effectively, which can result from various causes, including previous heart attacks. Cardiovascular arrest refers to a sudden stop in heart function, which can be a consequence of a heart attack but is not the direct result of a blocked artery leading to