At SMI, we are interested in cardiac ischemia and heart failure.
What is Cardiac Ischemia?
Cardiac Ischemia is the term used for lack of blood flow and oxygen to the heart muscle. The lack of blood flow is a result of narrowing of the arteries.
- When an artery is narrowed, less blood and oxygen reaches the part of the heart muscle and leads to pain in the chest called Angina.
- When part of the heart is suffering from a prolonged shortage of oxygen, that heart tissue may die. This is called a heart attack.
- Angina is usually benign when the oxygen supply is restored in time. However, a heart attack results in less functional muscle tissue and in the long term leads to heart failure, especially when more attacks occur.