Ischemia occurs when an organ doesn’t receive enough oxygen due to blocked blood flow or low oxygen content. Causes include sickle cell anemia, ventricular tachycardia, compressed blood vessels, blood clots, low blood pressure, congenital heart defects, and plaque buildup. Treatments include medications, diet, surgery, and implanted devices.
Ischemia is a condition in which the blood does not supply enough oxygen to a major organ and most often affects the heart or brain. It occurs when blood flow is blocked or when the blood flowing to the organ has an extremely low oxygen content. All body tissues need oxygen to function, so ischemia can lead to significant damage or even shut down of an organ. Causes of ischemia include sickle cell anemia, ventricular tachycardia, compression of blood vessels, and blood clots. Extremely low blood pressure, congenital heart defects, and plaque buildup in the arteries can also cause this condition.
sickle cell anemia
Sickle cell anemia can cause this condition because irregularly shaped or sickle-shaped blood cells can clot more easily, blocking the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart, lungs, or brain. In rare cases, a clot can block the flow of oxygen to other organs, such as the liver, causing significant damage. Most people with sickle cell disease take anticoagulant medications to prevent ischemia.
Ventricular tachycardia
Ventricular tachycardia is a series of sudden irregular heartbeats that can cause the heart to malfunction or, in severe cases, stop completely. The resulting complications can include ischemia because the irregular heart function could also inhibit the flow of oxygen. In cardiac death from ventricular tachycardia, the heart stops completely, depriving the entire body of oxygen. Although a person can be revived with the use of a defibrillator, prolonged oxygen deprivation can cause damage to major organs.
Compressed blood vessels
Growths inside the body can cause blood vessels to become compressed. Tumors can press on major arteries, preventing oxygen-rich blood from flowing freely and causing ischemia. Where other factors do not exist, ischemic episodes could indicate the presence of cancer or large benign tumors.
Blood clots
Blood clots can be caused by a high platelet count or by surgical procedures, or they can occur in people who take too much clotting agent. Also, blood clots can form in the legs of people who are inactive for any reason. In very rare cases, blood clots can form in the legs during long plane flights, causing almost immediate ischemia. Blood clots are often too small to block veins and arteries, but occasionally a large clot can block blood flow to an important organ, causing serious damage.
Low blood pressure
A person suffering from a heart attack usually exhibits extremely low blood pressure, which indicates that the body’s tissues are not getting enough oxygen. Untreated and undiagnosed heart attacks can slow blood flow enough for clots to form, creating ischemic conditions. People who have had repeated heart attacks may be at greater risk for this condition.
Congenital heart defects
Those with a congenital heart defect are also at increased risk of ischemia due to clotting, both before and after repair surgery. Some people who have congenital heart defects are at immediate risk of ischemia at birth. This could be caused by the arteries not being formed or connected properly or because one or more arteries are missing.
Plaque buildup in the arteries
Atherosclerosis is the narrowing of the arteries caused by plaque buildup. This is common in older people and can usually be corrected. However, this narrowing is not always detected, and ischemia may first present itself when an artery becomes so completely blocked that blood cannot get to the brain or lungs. The narrow passages also make it easier for blood to clot and completely block the arteries.
Possible treatments
Some procedures and treatments are used to prevent or correct ischemia. People who are prone to heart attacks or blood clots usually receive appropriate medications to reduce the risk of ischemia. Plaque buildup can often be controlled with medications and a cholesterol-lowering diet. Episodes of ventricular tachycardia can be treated with rhythm-controlling drugs or an implanted pacemaker or defibrillator. Surgical correction of birth defects can create normal blood flow patterns, and any tumors that are inhibiting blood flow are removed when possible.
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