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Updated June 23, 2015.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
Definition:
Ischemia is the condition in which living tissue is deprived of oxygen and nutrients, usually due to an obstruction in blood flow to that tissue. Tissue experiencing ischemia is said to be ischemic.
Ischemic tissue typically does not function normally. For instance, when the heart becomes ischemic it may not beat as efficiently as it should, and it may produce chest pain (angina). Ischemic brain tissue can cause stroke-like symptoms called a transient ischemic attack (TIA).
If ischemia persists long enough, the affected tissue dies. This is called infarction, as in myocardial infarction (heart attack) or brain infarction (stroke).
Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) is a common cause of ischemia. Hypertension greatly increases the risk of atherosclerosis.
Pronunciation: is-KEY-me-a
Also Known As: low oxygenation, decreased perfusion
Edited by Richard N. Fogoros, MD
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