Heart attack (myocardial infarction)

Also known as: MI, Heart attack

A medical emergency where blood flow to part of the heart is blocked, damaging the muscle. Stations may cover explanation, secondary prevention, or breaking the news.

Explaining a heart attack and its prevention (medications, lifestyle, cardiac rehab) in plain, reassuring language is a common post-event station.

More glossary terms

ABCDE approachA systematic method for assessing and treating an acutely unwell patient — Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure — dealing with each before moving on.
AMPLE historyA focused emergency history — Allergies, Medications, Past history, Last meal, Events — taken quickly in acute situations.
ARCPThe annual assessment that decides whether a doctor in training has met the competencies to progress to the next stage.
AVPU scaleA rapid way to grade consciousness — Alert, responds to Voice, responds to Pain, Unresponsive — used in initial assessment.

Put it into practice

Rehearse PLAB 2 stations with AI simulated patients and get structured feedback after every consultation.

Start free