Cardiac ischemia happens when an artery becomes narrowed or blocked for a short time, preventing oxygen-rich blood from reaching the heart. If ischemia is severe or lasts too long, it can cause a heart attack (myocardial infarction) and can lead to heart tissue death. In most cases, a temporary blood shortage to the heart causes the pain of angina pectoris. But in other cases, there is no pain. These cases are called silent ischemia.
Silent ischemia may also disturb the heart’s rhythm. Abnormal rhythms such as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation can interfere with the heart’s pumping ability and can cause fainting or even sudden cardiac death.
Major risk factors include: Previous heart attacks, coronary artery disease, diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), coronary artery anomalies (CAAs), smoking, obesity, cardiomyopathy, alcohol and drug abuse.
Silent ischemia has no symptoms. But researchers have found that if you have episodes of noticeable chest pain, you may also have episodes of silent ischemia.
How is silent ischemia diagnosed?
The following tests can be used to diagnose silent ischemia:
An exercise stress test can show blood flow through your coronary arteries in response to exercise.
How is ischemia treated?
Treatment for ischemia is similar to that of any form of cardiovascular disease and usually begins with the following lifestyle changes: Quitting smoking, control of high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes, limit of intake of alcohol, healthy eating habits and approved exercise.
