What causes cardiac ischemia?

Myocardial ischemia is a relatively common symptom, which mainly refers to a decrease in the amount of blood flowing into the heart. Because the heart's blood supply is reduced, the heart's oxygen content will also be reduced, leading to abnormal energy metabolism in the heart, which is quite harmful to the health of the heart. There are many reasons for this phenomenon, such as reduced blood supply to the aorta, hypertension, diabetes and other chronic diseases.

What causes cardiac ischemia?

1. The main reasons for myocardial ischemia are many. Low blood pressure, reduced blood supply to the aorta, and obstruction of the coronary arteries can directly lead to reduced blood supply to the heart. Heart valve disease, changes in blood viscosity, and myocardial lesions can also reduce blood supply to the heart. The most common cause is coronary atherosclerosis, followed by inflammation (rheumatic, syphilitic, Kawasaki disease and thromboangiitis obliterans, etc.), spasm, embolism, connective tissue disease, trauma and congenital malformations.

2. Risk factors Epidemiological studies have found that important risk factors associated with atherosclerosis are hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, obesity, lack of physical activity, and advanced age.

Clinical classification

1. Angina pectoris is the most representative type of myocardial ischemia, characterized by paroxysmal, compressive pain in the anterior chest. The pain is mainly located behind the sternum and can radiate to the precordial area and left upper limb. It often occurs during labor or emotional excitement and disappears after rest or use of nitrate preparations. It can be divided into stable, unstable and variant angina. 2. Myocardial infarction Myocardial infarction is often caused by secondary thrombosis on the basis of coronary atherosclerotic lesions. With the advancement of medical technology, the main mortality rate in the acute phase of this disease has decreased, but it is still a serious and fatal disease with a total mortality rate of up to 30%. It is important to pay attention to prevention, especially for smokers, obese people, people with diabetes and those who lack physical labor.

3. Ischemic cardiomyopathy Long-term myocardial ischemia and hypoxia can lead to myocardial cell necrosis, scar formation, and proliferation of myocardial interstitial fibrous tissue, which is called ischemic cardiomyopathy, also known as myocardial fibrosis. It is characterized by the heart becoming stiff and gradually enlarging, and developing arrhythmias and heart failure. The prognosis is poor and the mortality rate is high. The main causes of death are progressive congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction and severe arrhythmia. 4. Sudden death often occurs without any life-threatening prior symptoms. The main cause is a sudden and severe arrhythmia of the heart. Coronary heart disease is the most common underlying heart disease in patients with sudden cardiac death. Therefore, to prevent sudden cardiac death, we should prevent the root cause of the disease, change living habits and eating habits, reduce the risk of coronary atherosclerosis, and reduce the formation of coronary heart disease. When ischemia occurs, long-term medication should be used to improve myocardial ischemia and prevent the condition from worsening.

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