What is myocardial ischemia?

Myocardial ischemia occurs when there is a reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, which leads to a decrease in the supply of oxygen that the heart tissue requires to function effectively. This insufficient blood flow can result from various factors, including blockages in the coronary arteries, which may be caused by plaque build-up, blood clots, or other vascular diseases. When the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen, it may lead to symptoms such as chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, or even more severe complications if the condition persists, such as myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack.

In contrast, the other options describe scenarios that do not accurately characterize myocardial ischemia. Increased oxygen supply (the first option) is opposite to the definition of ischemia, while inflammation of the heart muscle (the third option) refers to a different condition known as myocarditis. Lastly, successful recovery from a heart attack (the fourth option) does not equate to ischemia, but rather describes a post-event state that may follow myocardial ischemia or a heart attack event.