心筋梗塞
心筋梗塞 in 30 Seconds
- 心筋梗塞 (Shinkin Kousoku) is the formal Japanese medical term for a myocardial infarction or heart attack.
- It is composed of kanji meaning 'heart' (心), 'muscle' (筋), and 'infarction/blockage' (梗塞).
- It is a major health concern in Japan, frequently discussed in news, health checkups, and medical dramas.
- Commonly paired with the prefix '急性' (acute) and the verb '起こす' (to trigger/have).
The term 心筋梗塞 (Shinkin Kousoku) is the precise medical Japanese equivalent of a myocardial infarction, commonly known in English as a heart attack. To understand this word, one must look at its constituent parts: Shin (心 - heart), kin (筋 - muscle), kou (梗 - blockage/obstruction), and soku (塞 - close/plug). Together, they describe the physiological reality of the condition: the death of heart muscle tissue due to the obstruction of blood flow. In Japanese society, this word is used with high frequency in medical contexts, news reports, and health education. Unlike the English 'heart attack,' which can sometimes be used loosely to describe any sudden cardiac event, 心筋梗塞 is specifically about the infarction process. It is a word that carries significant weight, often associated with lifestyle diseases (生活習慣病) and the aging population in Japan.
- Medical Classification
- It is categorized under ischemic heart disease (虚血性心疾患). In Japan, it is one of the leading causes of death, alongside cancer and stroke.
- Public Awareness
- The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare frequently uses this term in public health campaigns to encourage regular checkups (健康診断) and stress management.
祖父は心筋梗塞で入院しましたが、幸い一命を取り留めました。(My grandfather was hospitalized with a myocardial infarction, but fortunately, his life was saved.)
When discussing the severity, Japanese speakers often specify whether it was an 'acute' myocardial infarction using 急性心筋梗塞 (Kyuusei Shinkin Kousoku). This prefix 'kyuusei' (acute) is almost always attached in emergency room scenarios. The cultural nuances involve a strong emphasis on prevention through 'shokuseikatsu' (eating habits) and 'undou' (exercise). Because Japan has a high-stress work culture, 'karoshi' (death from overwork) is often medically attributed to 心筋梗塞. Understanding this word is essential for anyone living in Japan, as it appears on every standard medical history form and insurance document. It is not just a medical term; it is a point of social concern regarding the health of the workforce and the elderly.
最近、心筋梗塞の予防のために、塩分を控えるようにしています。(Recently, I've been trying to reduce my salt intake to prevent a heart attack.)
- Kanji Breakdown: 心 (Shin)
- Represents the heart, both physically and emotionally. In this context, it is strictly physical.
- Kanji Breakdown: 筋 (Kin)
- Means muscle or sinew. It specifies that the muscle of the heart is the affected tissue.
In summary, 心筋梗塞 is a technical yet ubiquitous term. It bridges the gap between professional medical discourse and everyday health concerns. Whether you are watching a medical drama like 'Doctor-X' or reading a newspaper, this word will appear whenever the topic of cardiovascular health arises. It signifies a critical blockage that requires immediate medical attention (救急搬送). For learners, mastering the pronunciation—shinkin-kousoku—is vital, as the 'ou' sounds in 'kousoku' are long and distinct. Mispronouncing it might lead to confusion with other similar-sounding words, though the context of heart health usually makes the meaning clear.
Using 心筋梗塞 correctly requires familiarity with specific verbs and particles. The most common verb paired with this noun is okosu (起こす - to trigger/have) or naru (なる - to become/suffer from). When a patient has a heart attack, we say '心筋梗塞を起こした' (suffered a heart attack). In a more formal or medical diagnosis context, '心筋梗塞と診断された' (was diagnosed with myocardial infarction) is standard. Because it is a condition, it often functions as the subject of a sentence describing symptoms or risks.
- With the verb 'Okosu'
- Used to describe the event occurring. '彼のアスリートとしてのキャリアは心筋梗塞を起こしたことで終わった。' (His career as an athlete ended when he suffered a heart attack.)
- With the particle 'De'
- Used to indicate the cause of death or hospitalization. '彼は心筋梗塞で亡くなった。' (He passed away due to a heart attack.)
激しい胸の痛みは、心筋梗塞の典型的な兆候です。(Severe chest pain is a typical sign of a myocardial infarction.)
When discussing prevention, the term is often used with yobou (予防 - prevention). Sentences like '心筋梗塞の予防には運動が不可欠だ' (Exercise is indispensable for the prevention of heart attacks) are common in health magazines. You will also see it in the context of risk factors like high blood pressure (高血圧) or diabetes (糖尿病). In these cases, the grammar usually follows the pattern: '[Risk Factor] は [Condition] のリスクを高める' (Risk factor increases the risk of condition).
もし家族に心筋梗塞の既往歴があるなら、定期的な検査を受けるべきです。(If there is a family history of myocardial infarction, you should get regular checkups.)
In academic or highly formal writing, you might encounter the phrase '心筋梗塞を発症する' (to develop/onset myocardial infarction). The verb hasshou (発症) is more formal than okosu. Furthermore, the term can be used as a compound noun, such as '心筋梗塞後遺症' (sequelae/after-effects of a heart attack). Understanding these variations allows you to navigate everything from a simple doctor's visit to complex medical journals. The structure is remarkably consistent: [Noun] + [Particle] + [Verb describing state or action].
- Compound: 急性 (Kyuusei)
- '急性心筋梗塞' (Acute Myocardial Infarction). This is the most common full term in medical reports.
- Compound: 陳旧性 (Chinkyuusei)
- '陳旧性心筋梗塞' (Old/Previous Myocardial Infarction). Used to refer to a heart attack that happened in the past.
You will hear 心筋梗塞 in several key areas of Japanese life. The most frequent is the terebi nyuusu (TV news). When a public figure or celebrity passes away suddenly, the news anchor will often report the cause of death as '急性心筋梗塞のため' (due to acute myocardial infarction). It is the standard, respectful way to report such events. Another common location is the byouin (hospital) or kurinikku (clinic). During a 'kenkou shindan' (annual health checkup), a doctor might point to your blood pressure or cholesterol levels and warn you about the risk of 心筋梗塞. This is a routine part of adult life in Japan, where lifestyle-related diseases are a major focus of national health policy.
ニュース速報:有名俳優が心筋梗塞で急逝しました。(Breaking News: A famous actor passed away suddenly due to a heart attack.)
In Japanese popular culture, specifically iryou dorama (medical dramas) like 'Iryu: Team Medical Dragon' or 'Code Blue,' 心筋梗塞 is a staple plot device. You will hear surgeons shouting it in the ER or discussing the 'kanshi' (obstruction) in a patient's coronary artery. These shows have made the term very familiar even to young people who might not otherwise encounter medical jargon. Additionally, in the workplace, during health and safety seminars, industrial physicians (sangyou-i) often lecture on how to avoid 心筋梗塞 through stress reduction and better sleep, linking it to the 'karoshi' (death from overwork) phenomenon.
- News Media
- Standard term for reporting causes of death in obituaries.
- Medical Dramas
- Frequent 'emergency' diagnosis to create tension and technical realism.
ドラマのシーンで、医者が「心筋梗塞の疑いがあります!」と叫んだ。(In a drama scene, the doctor shouted, 'There's a suspicion of myocardial infarction!')
Finally, you will encounter this word in pharmacy consultations and on medicine packaging. Drugs for 'ketsuatsu' (blood pressure) or 'ketsueki sara-sara' (blood thinning) often list the prevention of 心筋梗塞 as a primary benefit. In pharmacy waiting rooms, there are often pamphlets titled 'How to protect yourself from 心筋梗塞.' Because Japan's population is aging rapidly, the word has become a part of the national vocabulary for 'rougo' (old age) planning and health management. It is a word that signifies the intersection of biological reality and the socio-economic challenges of a modern, aging society.
One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing 心筋梗塞 (Shinkin Kousoku) with 脳梗塞 (Nou Kousoku). While both involve an 'infarction' (梗塞), the former is a heart attack and the latter is an ischemic stroke. In Japanese, they sound very similar because they share the 'kousoku' suffix. Another error is using the term shinzou hassa (心臓発作 - heart attack) in a formal medical report. While 'shinzou hassa' is understood, it is considered more of a general term for an 'attack' and lacks the clinical precision of 心筋梗塞. Using the wrong one in a professional or academic setting can make the speaker sound less knowledgeable.
- Mistake: Confusing with Stroke
- Saying '心筋梗塞' when you mean '脳梗塞' (stroke). Remember: 'Shin' = Heart, 'Nou' = Brain.
- Mistake: Particle Errors
- Using '心筋梗塞を亡くなった' instead of '心筋梗塞で亡くなった'. The particle 'で' is required to show the cause.
Incorrect: 彼は心筋梗塞を死んだ。
Correct: 彼は心筋梗塞で亡くなった。
Learners also often struggle with the pronunciation of the '梗' (kou) and '塞' (soku) kanji. The 'ou' in 'kou' is a long vowel, and the 'o' in 'soku' is a short vowel. Pronouncing them both as short vowels (e.g., 'shinkin kosoku') can make the word unrecognizable to native speakers. Furthermore, some people mistakenly use shinzou mahi (心臓麻痺 - heart failure/cardiac arrest) as a synonym. While they are related, 'shinzou mahi' is a state where the heart stops, which can be caused by 心筋梗塞, but they are not the same thing. In a medical context, precision is paramount.
「心筋梗塞」と「心不全」は違います。前者は血管の詰まり、後者は心臓のポンプ機能の低下です。(Myocardial infarction and heart failure are different. The former is a blockage of blood vessels, the latter is a decrease in the heart's pumping function.)
Lastly, be careful with the register. While 心筋梗塞 is a noun, you cannot simply say 'I am 心筋梗塞.' You must use a verb like naru (become/suffer). Also, avoid using this word lightheartedly. It refers to a life-threatening condition, so using it as a metaphor (e.g., 'My heart stopped from surprise!') using this specific term would sound very strange and overly clinical. Stick to 'bikkuri shita' (I was surprised) for emotions and reserve 心筋梗塞 for real medical discussions.
While 心筋梗塞 is the standard medical term, several other words are related or used in similar contexts. Understanding the differences between them will greatly enhance your medical Japanese vocabulary. The most common alternative is 心臓発作 (Shinzou Hassa), which is the direct translation of 'heart attack.' It is used more in daily conversation and by laypeople. Another related term is 狭心症 (Kyoushinshou), which means 'angina.' Angina is chest pain due to reduced blood flow, often a precursor to a full 心筋梗塞. Doctors often discuss these two together during health screenings.
- 心筋梗塞 vs. 狭心症
- 心筋梗塞 (Infarction) involves tissue death; 狭心症 (Angina) is temporary pain without tissue death yet.
- 心筋梗塞 vs. 心不全
- 心不全 (Heart Failure) is a chronic condition where the heart doesn't pump well; 心筋梗塞 is an acute event.
彼は狭心症の持病があり、それが心筋梗塞に繋がった。(He had a chronic condition of angina, which led to a heart attack.)
Then there is 心停止 (Shinteishi), meaning cardiac arrest. This is a state where the heart stops beating entirely. While a 心筋梗塞 can cause shinteishi, they are distinct medical events. In news reports, you might also hear 虚血性心疾患 (Kyoketsusei Shinzou Shikkan), which is the umbrella term for 'ischemic heart disease.' This is the most academic way to refer to the category of diseases that include heart attacks and angina. For a learner, focusing on 心筋梗塞 is most practical as it is the most commonly used specific diagnosis.
「心臓発作」は一般的な言葉ですが、「心筋梗塞」はより専門的な医学用語です。('Heart attack' is a general word, but 'myocardial infarction' is a more specialized medical term.)
Finally, in the context of strokes, remember 脳卒中 (Nousocchuu). This is the general term for 'stroke,' which includes noukousoku (infarction) and nouketsu (hemorrhage). Because heart and brain events are often grouped together in health discussions, you will frequently see 心筋梗塞 and 脳卒中 listed side-by-side in medical brochures. Mastering these terms allows you to understand the full spectrum of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health discussions in Japan.
- 心臓麻痺 (Shinzou Mahi)
- Heart failure/Cardiac arrest (often used in older literature or colloquially).
- 虚血 (Kyoketsu)
- Ischemia (lack of blood flow), the root cause of the infarction.
Examples by Level
心筋梗塞はこわい病気です。
Myocardial infarction is a scary disease.
Uses 'は' as the topic marker and 'です' for a simple statement.
おじいさんは心筋梗塞になりました。
My grandfather had a heart attack.
Uses 'になりました' to show a change in state or suffering from a disease.
心筋梗塞は心臓の病気です。
Myocardial infarction is a heart disease.
A1 level definition using 'の' for possession/relation.
テレビで心筋梗塞のニュースを見ました。
I saw news about heart attacks on TV.
Uses 'で' for the location of the action.
心筋梗塞に気をつけてください。
Please be careful about heart attacks.
Uses 'に気をつけて' as a standard phrase for 'be careful of'.
父は心筋梗塞で入院しています。
My father is hospitalized for a heart attack.
Uses 'で' to indicate the cause of hospitalization.
心筋梗塞は急に起こります。
Heart attacks happen suddenly.
Adverb '急に' (suddenly) modifying the verb '起こります'.
タバコは心筋梗塞の原因です。
Smoking is a cause of heart attacks.
Simple A=B structure using '原因' (cause).
心筋梗塞の症状は胸の痛みです。
The symptom of a heart attack is chest pain.
Uses '症状' (symptom) to describe the condition.
彼は心筋梗塞で亡くなりました。
He passed away due to a heart attack.
Uses the polite past tense '亡くなりました'.
塩分が多いと心筋梗塞になりやすいです。
If you eat too much salt, it's easy to get a heart attack.
Uses '~やすい' to indicate a tendency or ease of something happening.
心筋梗塞の予防のために運動します。
I exercise for the prevention of heart attacks.
Uses '~のために' to indicate purpose.
医者は彼に心筋梗塞の危険があると言いました。
The doctor told him there is a danger of a heart attack.
Uses '~と言いました' for reported speech.
心筋梗塞は恐ろしいですが、予防できます。
Heart attacks are scary, but they can be prevented.
Uses the potential form 'できます'.
最近、心筋梗塞のニュースをよく聞きます。
Recently, I often hear news about heart attacks.
Uses the adverb 'よく' (often).
健康診断で心筋梗塞のリスクを調べました。
I checked the risk of heart attack at my health checkup.
Uses '調べました' (checked/investigated).
急性心筋梗塞で救急車が呼ばれました。
An ambulance was called due to an acute myocardial infarction.
Uses '急性' (acute) and the passive voice '呼ばれました'.
心筋梗塞の既往歴がある場合は、注意が必要です。
If you have a past medical history of heart attacks, caution is necessary.
Uses '既往歴' (past medical history) and '~場合は' (in case of).
過労が原因で心筋梗塞を発症する人が増えています。
The number of people developing heart attacks due to overwork is increasing.
Uses '発症する' (to onset/develop) and '増えている' (is increasing).
心筋梗塞の典型的な兆候を見逃してはいけません。
You must not overlook the typical signs of a heart attack.
Uses '~てはいけません' (must not) and '兆候' (signs).
彼は心筋梗塞を克服して、仕事に復帰しました。
He overcame his heart attack and returned to work.
Uses '克服して' (overcoming) and '復帰' (return/reinstatement).
心筋梗塞の疑いがあるときは、すぐに119番してください。
If you suspect a heart attack, call 119 immediately.
Uses '疑いがある' (have suspicion) and 'すぐに' (immediately).
生活習慣の改善は心筋梗塞の予防に効果的です。
Improving lifestyle habits is effective in preventing heart attacks.
Uses '改善' (improvement) and '効果的' (effective).
心筋梗塞の発作が起きたときの対処法を学びました。
I learned how to handle it when a heart attack occurs.
Uses '対処法' (coping method/handling).
冠動脈の閉塞が心筋梗塞を引き起こす主な要因です。
The blockage of coronary arteries is the main factor that triggers a myocardial infarction.
Uses technical terms like '冠動脈' (coronary artery) and '引き起こす' (trigger).
心筋梗塞後のリハビリテーションは非常に重要です。
Rehabilitation after a myocardial infarction is extremely important.
Uses 'リハビリテーション' and '非常に' (extremely).
糖尿病患者は心筋梗塞を併発するリスクが高いと言われています。
It is said that diabetic patients have a high risk of developing a heart attack concurrently.
Uses '併発する' (to occur concurrently) and 'と言われている' (it is said that).
心筋梗塞の治療において、カテーテル手術は一般的な手法です。
In the treatment of myocardial infarction, catheter surgery is a common method.
Uses '~において' (in/regarding) and '手法' (method).
激しい運動が心筋梗塞の引き金になることもあります。
Intense exercise can sometimes be a trigger for a heart attack.
Uses '引き金' (trigger/literal: trigger of a gun) and 'こともある' (it is also the case that).
心筋梗塞による死亡率は、早期発見によって低下しています。
The mortality rate from heart attacks is decreasing due to early detection.
Uses '死亡率' (mortality rate) and '早期発見' (early detection).
心筋梗塞の症状は、性別によって異なる場合があります。
Symptoms of a heart attack may differ depending on gender.
Uses '~によって異なる' (differ depending on).
家族に心筋梗塞の患者がいる場合、遺伝的要因も考慮すべきです。
If there are heart attack patients in the family, genetic factors should also be considered.
Uses '考慮すべき' (should consider).
心筋梗塞の急性期における迅速な対応が生死を分けます。
Rapid response during the acute phase of a myocardial infarction makes the difference between life and death.
Uses '急性期' (acute phase) and '生死を分ける' (to divide life and death).
虚血性心疾患の中でも、心筋梗塞は最も重篤な病態の一つです。
Among ischemic heart diseases, myocardial infarction is one of the most serious pathological conditions.
Uses '重篤' (serious/critical) and '病態' (pathological condition).
心筋梗塞の再発を防止するため、抗血小板薬の服用が推奨されます。
To prevent the recurrence of a heart attack, taking antiplatelet drugs is recommended.
Uses '再発' (recurrence) and '推奨される' (is recommended).
メタボリックシンドロームと心筋梗塞の相関関係が指摘されています。
A correlation between metabolic syndrome and myocardial infarction has been pointed out.
Uses '相関関係' (correlation) and '指摘されている' (has been pointed out).
心筋梗塞の発症メカニズムを解明するための研究が続いています。
Research to elucidate the mechanism of myocardial infarction onset is continuing.
Uses 'メカニズム' and '解明' (elucidation/clarification).
心筋梗塞による心筋の壊死は不可逆的な変化です。
Myocardial necrosis caused by a heart attack is an irreversible change.
Uses '壊死' (necrosis) and '不可逆的' (irreversible).
社会全体のストレス軽減が、心筋梗塞の減少に寄与するでしょう。
Reducing stress across society will contribute to a decrease in heart attacks.
Uses '寄与する' (to contribute to) and 'でしょう' (probably/will).
心筋梗塞の診断には、心電図の変化と血液検査の結果が不可欠です。
For the diagnosis of myocardial infarction, changes in the ECG and blood test results are indispensable.
Uses '不可欠' (indispensable) and '診断' (diagnosis).
ST上昇型心筋梗塞(STEMI)に対するプライマリPCIの有効性が確立されています。
The effectiveness of primary PCI for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has been established.
Uses highly technical medical abbreviations and '確立されている' (has been established).
心筋梗塞後の心不全への移行を防ぐことが、長期予後の改善に繋がります。
Preventing the transition to heart failure after a myocardial infarction leads to an improvement in long-term prognosis.
Uses '移行' (transition) and '予後' (prognosis).
再生医療技術を用いた心筋梗塞治療の臨床試験が進行中です。
Clinical trials of heart attack treatments using regenerative medicine technology are underway.
Uses '再生医療' (regenerative medicine) and '臨床試験' (clinical trial).
心筋梗塞のバイオマーカーとして、トロポニンの測定が広く行われています。
Measurement of troponin is widely performed as a biomarker for myocardial infarction.
Uses 'バイオマーカー' and '広く行われている' (is widely performed).
急性心筋梗塞の合併症として、不整脈や心破裂が挙げられます。
Arrhythmia and cardiac rupture are cited as complications of acute myocardial infarction.
Uses '合併症' (complications) and '挙げられる' (are cited/mentioned).
冠血流の再開通が遅れるほど、心筋梗塞の範囲は拡大します。
The more the reopening of coronary blood flow is delayed, the more the area of the heart attack expands.
Uses '再開通' (reopening/recanalization) and '~ほど~する' (the more... the more...).
心筋梗塞の疫学的調査により、地域的な発症率の差が明らかになりました。
Epidemiological surveys of myocardial infarction have revealed regional differences in incidence rates.
Uses '疫学的' (epidemiological) and '明らかになった' (became clear).
心筋梗塞は、プラークの破綻とそれに続く血栓形成によって引き起こされます。
Myocardial infarction is triggered by plaque rupture and subsequent thrombus formation.
Uses '破綻' (rupture/failure) and '血栓形成' (thrombus formation).
Common Collocations
Summary
心筋梗塞 is the essential medical term for a heart attack in Japan. While '心臓発作' is a common alternative, '心筋梗塞' is used in all professional, news, and academic contexts. Example: 彼は急性心筋梗塞で搬送された (He was transported to the hospital due to an acute heart attack).
- 心筋梗塞 (Shinkin Kousoku) is the formal Japanese medical term for a myocardial infarction or heart attack.
- It is composed of kanji meaning 'heart' (心), 'muscle' (筋), and 'infarction/blockage' (梗塞).
- It is a major health concern in Japan, frequently discussed in news, health checkups, and medical dramas.
- Commonly paired with the prefix '急性' (acute) and the verb '起こす' (to trigger/have).
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しばらく
B1For a while, for some time.
異変がある
B1To have an unusual change or abnormality.
異常な
B1Abnormal; unusual; irregular.
擦り傷
B1Scratch, graze, abrasion.
吸収する
B1To absorb.
禁酒
B1Abstinence from alcohol; the act of refraining from alcohol.
痛む
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鍼灸
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急性的
B1Acute.
急性な
B1Acute