The word dying hung in the air like smoke.

The damaged muscle can no longer pump efficiently, leading to a drop in ejection fraction.

Since I don’t know the exact context of your post (e.g., a medical case study, a healthcare professional discussion, or patient education), I have created three different versions for you to choose from.

Fluid "backs up" into the lungs because the left ventricle cannot clear it.

If you spot these signs, don't wait. Call emergency services immediately. Modern medicine can stop an anterior infarct in its tracks, but only if we act fast.

She grabbed a syringe of heparin, a box of aspirin, and paged the cath lab. STAT.