Myocardial Ischemia-Complications and Prevention
Ischemia is made up of two words isch which means suppression and emia which means blood. Ischemia can be defined as a condition where there is suppression or reduction of blood flow in an organ or tissue. Along with diminished oxygen supply, there is also reduced supply of nutrients and poor removal of metabolic waste.
Symptoms:
Since ischemia can develop at any part of the body; its symptoms are different for different organs.
- Cardiac: Pain is experienced in cases of myocardial ischemia. This pain is also known as angina pectoris. It is a medical emergency.
- Brain: Acute brain ischemia is a medical emergency and it is associated with stroke. Chronic brain ischemia can lead to dementia.
- Bowel: Acute mesenteric colitis is associated with severe pain in the stomach. It is a medical emergency. Chronic mesenteric colitis is associated with pain in the stomach after food. Ischemia associated with large intestine is known as ischemic colitis whereas ischemia of small intestine is called mesenteric ischemia.
Ischemia is associated with 6 P’s:
- Pain
- Pallor
- Paralysis
- Pulseless
- Paresthesia
- Poikilothermia
Causes of ischemia :
Ischemia can be due to external or internal causes.
External factors :
Trauma or injury leading to compression, laceration or shearing of blood vessels may lead to partial or complete. Trauma can also lead to inflammation causing an obstruction in the blood flow sometimes even leading to edema.
Internal factors :
Factors such as
- Embolism,
- Thrombosis,
- Atherosclerosis of the arteries,
- Aneurysm of veins
- Sickle cell anemia
- Hypoglycemia
- Hypotension
- Arteriovenous malformation
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
Risk factors :
- High blood pressure also increases the chances of stroke.
- Atherosclerosis in the family.
- Consumption of tobacco
- Diabetes
- High low density and very low-density cholesterol.
- Sedentary lifestyle
Complications :
- Dementia
- Pain
- Paralysis
- Myocardial infarction
- Edema
Prevention :
- Exercise regularly
- Quit tobacco
- Eat a healthy and nutritious diet
- Keep a track of family history
- Checking on blood pressure
- Checking on bad cholesterol
- Lose weight if necessary
When to see a doctor :
If you have a family history of ischemia you should always consult a doctor. If you feel severe pain rush to your doctor. Ischemia is a medical emergency and it must be taken care of.