Which medical condition is when there is insufficient blood supply to the heart?
|
Myocardial ischemia occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle (myocardium) is obstructed by a partial or complete blockage of a coronary artery by a buildup of plaques (atherosclerosis). If the plaques rupture, you can have a heart attack (myocardial infarction). Show
Myocardial ischemia occurs when blood flow to your heart is reduced, preventing the heart muscle from receiving enough oxygen. The reduced blood flow is usually the result of a partial or complete blockage of your heart's arteries (coronary arteries). Myocardial ischemia, also called cardiac ischemia, reduces the heart muscle's ability to pump blood. A sudden, severe blockage of one of the heart's artery can lead to a heart attack. Myocardial ischemia might also cause serious abnormal heart rhythms. Treatment for myocardial ischemia involves improving blood flow to the heart muscle. Treatment may include medications, a procedure to open blocked arteries (angioplasty) or bypass surgery. Making heart-healthy lifestyle choices is important in treating and preventing myocardial ischemia. SymptomsSome people who have myocardial ischemia don't have any signs or symptoms (silent ischemia). When they do occur, the most common is chest pressure or pain, typically on the left side of the body (angina pectoris). Other signs and symptoms — which might be experienced more commonly by women, older people and people with diabetes — include:
When to see a doctorGet emergency help if you have severe chest pain or chest pain that doesn't go away. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. Email ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Myocardial ischemia is a lack of blood flow getting to your heart muscle. That means your heart muscle isn’t getting enough blood to do what it needs to do. Often, the cause is a collection of fat and cholesterol (plaque) that doesn’t let enough blood go through your coronary arteries. Medicines and surgeries can treat myocardial ischemia.
Overview What is myocardial ischemia?Myocardial ischemia (or cardiac ischemia) means your heart muscle is not getting enough blood (which contains oxygen and nutrients) to work as it should. If this lack of blood from your coronary arteries is severe or goes on for more than a few minutes, it can damage your heart muscle. Then it becomes a myocardial infarction (heart attack). A heart attack is an emergency. You should call 911 for an ambulance instead of having someone drive you to the hospital. Who does myocardial ischemia affect?People who get myocardial ischemia often have:
How common is myocardial ischemia?Each year, more than 1 million people in the United States die from myocardial infarction (heart attack). This is due to myocardial ischemia, a lack of blood flow and oxygen to your heart muscle. How does myocardial ischemia affect my body?Myocardial ischemia makes it difficult to exercise, especially in the cold. As your condition gets worse, you can have symptoms of myocardial ischemia with less and less activity. In time, it can be hard to go up a flight of stairs. Eventually, you can even have symptoms when you’re at rest. Symptoms and CausesWhat are the symptoms?The most common symptom of myocardial ischemia is angina (also called angina pectoris). This is chest pain (similar to indigestion or heartburn) that feels like:
There are two types of angina:
Other myocardial ischemia symptoms can also include:
If you have angina or any of the symptoms of ischemia listed above that last for more than five minutes, call 911 right away. It’s possible to have ischemia ─ or even a heart attack ─ and not have any warning signs. This is called silent myocardial ischemia. This is most common in people with diabetes, but it can happen to anyone with heart disease. What causes myocardial ischemia?Often, a person has more than one cause of myocardial ischemia. Causes of myocardial ischemia include:
Ischemia is most likely to happen when your heart needs more oxygen and nutrients than it’s getting. It happens when your heart can’t keep up with your body’s increased demand for blood. Your body needs more blood when you’re:
Diagnosis and TestsHow is myocardial ischemia diagnosed?In addition to getting your medical history and doing a physical exam, your healthcare provider may do the following tests:
Your provider may also do blood tests to check for:
Management and TreatmentHow is myocardial ischemia treated?Myocardial ischemia treatments may include medications or procedures to improve blood flow to your heart muscle. Your treatment for myocardial ischemia depends on the cause of the problem. Your healthcare provider will talk to you about the treatment that’s best for you. What medications/treatments are used?Medicines or treatments for myocardial ischemia may include:
Complications/side effects of the treatmentComplications of coronary artery bypass graft may include:
Rarely, some of these complications can happen with angioplasty/ stent placement as well. How long does it take to recover from this treatment?After a coronary artery bypass graft, you’ll need to spend about a week in the hospital. After that, you’ll need six to 12 weeks to recover at home. After angioplasty or stent placement, you’ll probably spend the night in the hospital and go home the next day. PreventionHow can I reduce my risk?Your healthcare provider may recommend medications or lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of myocardial ischemia. Medicines
Lifestyle changes
Outlook / PrognosisWhat can I expect if I have myocardial ischemia?It’s common for people with unstable angina to have a heart attack in the next three months. Heart attacks are fatal in the first few hours for up to a third of people who have them. Most people who get through the first few days after a heart attack recover completely. However, 10% live less than a year after their heart attack. How long does myocardial ischemia last?Angina from myocardial ischemia lasts 10 minutes or less in most cases. Living WithHow do I take care of myself?Exercise is very helpful for improving your cardiovascular health. It gets more oxygen to your heart muscle, which helps with symptoms. Healthcare providers recommend getting at least 30 to 60 minutes of exercise five or more days a week. Other ways to stay healthy include:
When should I see my healthcare provider?Contact your healthcare provider if your medicines aren’t helping you or if the side effects are severe. If you’ve had an angioplasty and stent placement or coronary artery bypass graft, you’ll most likely need to see your provider every six months during the first year after your procedure. When should I go to the ER?Call 911 and chew an aspirin if you think you’re having a heart attack. If you have a clot in your coronary artery, aspirin can help make it smaller. You should also get help immediately if you’ve taken three nitroglycerin doses (one every five minutes) and still have angina. What questions should I ask my doctor?
Frequently Asked QuestionsIs myocardial ischemia the same as angina?No. Angina (chest pain) is a very common symptom of myocardial ischemia. Is myocardial ischemia a stroke?No. Myocardial ischemia is a lack of blood supply to your heart muscle. A stroke affects your brain. How long can you live with myocardial ischemia?It depends on many factors, such as:
A note from Cleveland Clinic Chest pain from myocardial ischemia is understandably a cause for concern, but a diagnosis and treatment plan can give you peace of mind. Following your healthcare provider’s recommendations will give you the best chance of improving your heart health. Although you may not want to think about it, it’s a good idea to know the warning signs of a heart attack. Having a plan in place in case that happens will help you be prepared to help yourself or a loved one. Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Print Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 05/27/2022. References
Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy Related Institutes & ServicesHeart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute (Miller Family)The latest information about heart & vascular disorders, treatments, tests and prevention from the No. 1-ranked heart program in the United States. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy More health news + infoShow More
Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram LinkedIn Pinterest Snapchat ActionsAppointments & AccessAccepted InsuranceEvents CalendarFinancial AssistanceGive to Cleveland ClinicPay Your Bill OnlineRefer a PatientPhone DirectoryVirtual Second OpinionsVirtual VisitsBlog, News & AppsConsult QDHealth EssentialsNewsroomMyClevelandClinicMyChartAbout Cleveland Clinic100 Years of Cleveland ClinicAbout UsLocationsQuality & Patient SafetyOffice of Diversity & InclusionPatient ExperienceResearch & InnovationsCommunity CommitmentCareersFor EmployeesResources for Medical ProfessionalsSite Information & PoliciesSend Us FeedbackSite MapAbout this WebsiteCopyright, Reprint & LicensingWebsite Terms of UsePrivacy PolicyNotice of Privacy PracticesNon-Discrimination Notice9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 | 800.223.2273 | © 2022 Cleveland Clinic. All Rights Reserved. What is insufficient blood flow to the heart called?Myocardial ischemia occurs when blood flow to your heart is reduced, preventing the heart muscle from receiving enough oxygen. The reduced blood flow is usually the result of a partial or complete blockage of your heart's arteries (coronary arteries).
What occurs due to insufficient blood supply to the heart?Insufficient blood flow to the heart muscle can lead to symptoms of chest pain (angina). If the coronary artery becomes completely blocked, it will cause a heart attack. During a heart attack, some of the heart muscle can die from a lack of oxygen.
|
