OverviewToo little blood flow through your coronary artery causes myocardial ischemia.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). Show
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:
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. What is the most important medication that should be administered to a patient experiencing chest pain?Nitroglycerin is a vasodilatory drug used primarily to provide relief from anginal chest pain. It is currently FDA approved for the acute relief of an attack or acute prophylaxis of angina pectoris secondary to coronary artery disease.
What is the first medication that should be administered to a patient experiencing crushing chest pain with shortness of breath?Nitroglycerin — usually taken as a tablet under the tongue — relaxes heart arteries, so blood can flow more easily through the narrowed spaces.
What are the 2 medications that first responders can assist a patient complaining of chest pain with?Initial treatment often includes medications, like aspirin and nitroglycerin. When the cause is unclear, however, the person will be transported to a nearby hospital or medical facility for further evaluation.
When nitroglycerin is administered to a patient who is complaining of chest pain?You may administer 1 or 2 sprays of Nitroglycerin oral spray at the onset of chest pain. If the pain continues after 5 minutes, a third spray may be used. You must wait 5 minutes after the first 1 or 2 sprays before using a third spray.
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