Myocardial ischemia occurs when blood flow to heart is reduced, preventing it from receiving enough oxygen. The reduced blood flow is usually the result of a partial or complete blockage of heart's arteries (coronary arteries).
Myocardial ischemia, also called cardiac ischemia, can damage heart muscle, reducing its ability to pump efficiently. A sudden, severe blockage of a coronary artery can lead to a heart attack. Myocardial ischemia might also cause serious abnormal heart rhythms.
Some people who have ischemia don't experience any signs or symptoms (silent ischemia).
- Chest Pressure or Pain
- Neck or jaw pain
- Shoulder or arm pain
- A fast heartbeat
- Shortness of breath when you are physically active
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sweating
- Fatigue
- Electrocardiogram (ECG).
- Echocardiogram.
- Nuclear scan.
- Coronary angiography.
- Cardiac CT scan
- Stress test.
Medications
- Aspirin.
- Nitrates.
- Beta blockers.
- Calcium channel blockers.
- Cholesterol-lowering medications.
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.
- Ranolazine
Procedures to improve blood flow
- Angioplasty and stenting.
- Coronary artery bypasses surgery.
· Enhanced external counter pulsation.
Ask treating Cardiologist for management.
