Ischemic Heart Disease

ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE

Myocardial ischemia, meaning a lack of oxygen to the myocardium, is the result of an imbalance between the demand of the myocardium for oxygen and the amount supplied. There are several possible causes of this condition. Firstly, the blood flow through the coronary arteries may be reduced because of mechanical blockages, such as atheroma (plaque), thrombosis (a clot), spasm, ostial stenosis, arteritis or any sort of blockage (an embolism) due to, for example, tumor cells or an air bubble. Secondly, a decreased flow of oxygenated blood to the myocardium because of anemia , hypotension (low blood pressure) or carbon monoxide poisoning. Thirdly, an increased demand for oxygen caused by exercise or myocardialhypertrophy that requires an increase in cardiac output. Note that in the last two scenarios, the coronary arteries may be healthy. The commonest cause of ischemic heart disease is coronary atheroma, which obstructs the flow of blood through the coronary arteries.