Ischemia is characterized by a restriction of blood flow to a certain part of the body. Cardiac Ischemia is the restriction of blood flow and oxygen to the heart muscle. Ischemic heart disease refers to the problems associated with the heart as a result of ischemia.

Coronary heart or coronary artery disease is characterized by a lack of blood flow and oxygen to the heart as a result of the narrowing of the heart arteries. Narrowing of arteries is typically a result of the build up of cholesterol plaque or fatty deposits on interior linings. When a blood clot encounters a build up of fatty deposits, then the individual may experience acute myocardial infarction (heart attack). Acute myocardial infarction is a condition of ischemic heart disease. Ischemic heart disease is often accompanied by chest pain or angina pectoris.

If the blood flow to the heart is not restored quickly that portion of the heart may die, be replaced by fibrosis and produce a scar. When part of the muscle dies, the ability to pump blood to the body is impaired.

Common symptoms of acute myocardial infarction include extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, back pain, chest pressure, and chest pains.

Over 14 million Americans are affected by ischemic heart disease and 3 to 4 million of them may have ischemic episodes without being aware of it. Ischemia without pain is known as silent ischemia. These individuals may experience a heart attack without any presence of symptoms. Prior heart attack or ischemia, as well as, diabetes increases the risk of silent ischemia.

Other risks that increase the development of ischemic heart disease are smoking, poor diet, poor circulation, high blood pressure, a sedentary lifestyle, and high cholesterol.

Though traditionally thought of as a man’s disease, more women than men over the age of 65 suffer from heart attack. Women in this age range that have heart attacks often complain of extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, back pain and chest pressure.

Over 250,000 U.S. adults are killed each year by sudden cardiac death associated with ischemic heart disease. A massive heart attack, as it is commonly called, is caused by ventricular fibrillation or abnormal heart rhythms. This condition stops the heart from beating and thus ceases all blood flow to the brain and other vital organs. The patient can often be revived with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and an external defibrillator.

Since the 1950s physicians and researchers have made great strides in increasing the chances of surviving a heart attack and living life with ischemic heart disease. A person’s chance of dying from ischemic heart disease in the 1950s was 25 percent and has decreased to only 3 to 4 percent in recent studies.

Diagnostic imaging technology such as coronary angiography, nuclear myocardial imaging, and echocardiography have increased the survival rate significantly.

Medications have also played a role, such as thrombolytic agents, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, nitrates, statins, angiontensin and aspirin.

Angioplasty and coronary by-pass surgery are also techniques used to either remove or bypass the blockage to increase chance of survival and prevent future heart attacks.

While all of these techniques are available to an ischemic heart disease patient, no technique is better than prevention. A good diet and exercise are the best forms of prevention for ischemic heart disease.

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