What is defined as heart muscle dying due to decreased blood supply?

The correct answer is myocardial infarction, which refers specifically to a condition where there is a loss of blood supply to a portion of the heart muscle, resulting in tissue death. This typically occurs due to blockage of a coronary artery, often caused by a blood clot that forms in a narrowed artery. As the heart muscle is deprived of oxygen and essential nutrients, the affected tissue begins to die, hence the term "infarction," which refers to tissue death due to a lack of blood supply.

This condition is critical to recognize as it can lead to severe complications, including cardiac arrest, if not treated promptly. Understanding this term is essential for EMTs, as timely intervention can mean the difference between life and death for a patient experiencing this condition.