Which heart chamber is most likely to suffer a myocardial infarction?

Which heart chamber is most likely to suffer a myocardial infarction?

• A. Right atrium
• B. Left ventricle
• C. Left atrium
• D. Right ventricle

Answer: (B)

The left ventricle is the heart chamber primarily responsible for pumping oxygenated blood to the rest of the body, making it crucial for systemic circulation. This chamber has a thicker muscular wall compared to the other chambers, which allows it to generate the high pressure needed to propel blood throughout the body.

Due to its high demand and increased workload, the left ventricle is more susceptible to ischemia and subsequently myocardial infarction, especially if there are underlying conditions such as coronary artery disease. The coronary arteries supply blood to the left ventricle, and blockages or stenoses in these arteries can lead to reduced blood flow and oxygen delivery to this vital chamber, resulting in infarction.

In contrast, the other chambers of the heart, such as the right heart structures or the left atrium, have lower oxygen demands and different functional roles which make them less likely to experience a myocardial infarction in the same way as the left ventricle. Thus, the left ventricle's critical function and muscular demands make it the most likely chamber to suffer from a myocardial infarction.