Heart attack
Here you'll find our current definition of the critical illness, additional condition or child specific condition we cover. We've also listed any previous definitions we may have had. With each new definition we've highlighted what's changed from the previous definition.
Current definition
December 2023
Heart attack - of specified severity
A definite diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction with death of heart muscle as evidenced by both of the following:
- new characteristic electrocardiographic changes or new diagnostic imaging changes; and
- the characteristic rise of cardiac enzymes or troponins.
The evidence must show a definite acute myocardial infarction.
For the above definition, the following are not covered:
- myocardial injury without infarction; or
- angina without myocardial infarction.
Changes from previous definition
We've updated the wording for this definition to make it clearer to understand what is covered.
Previous definitions
November 2015
Heart attack – of specified severity
Death of heart muscle, due to inadequate blood supply, that has resulted in all of the following evidence of acute myocardial infarction:
- the characteristic rise of cardiac enzymes or Troponins; and
- new characteristic electrocardiographic changes or other positive findings on diagnostic imaging tests.
The evidence must show a definite acute myocardial infarction.
For the above definition, the following are not covered:
- other acute coronary syndromes; and
- angina without myocardial infarction.