Microvascular ischemia is a condition where small coronary arteries narrow, reducing blood and oxygen supply to the heart and brain. It can be caused by diabetes, high blood pressure, plaque buildup, low blood pressure, and abnormal heartbeat. Symptoms include chest tightness, nausea, lightheadedness, and arm pain. Treatment includes blood thinners, medication, and lifestyle changes.
Microvascular ischemia is a condition in which the small coronary arteries in the heart narrow, causing a reduction in blood and oxygen supply to a certain area of the heart. The condition can also affect the small vessels in the brain that supply blood. Blood carries oxygen throughout the body, and ischemia can cause hypoxia in the small arteries, which help carry blood from the heart to other organs in the body. This decrease in oxygen supply can cause serious damage to the heart and other organs, and lack of oxygen can cause tissue death.
Ischemia is usually caused by another condition, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. It can also be due to plaque buildup in small arteries, which then causes a blockage that prevents blood flow. Low blood pressure or an abnormal heartbeat can prevent blood from being pumped through the small arteries of the heart or brain. Damage to the arterial walls, due to high blood pressure or the development of a mass, can cause microvascular ischemia. Those who smoke, are overweight, or have a family history of heart disease are more likely to develop the condition.
Microvascular ischemia can make the heart feel like it is cramping or being squeezed, creating a sense of tightness in the chest. The person may feel nauseous or lightheaded because the brain or heart is not getting enough oxygen. Shoulder or arm pain is also a common symptom of ischemia. Some people who have periodic ischemic attacks feel numb, dizzy, or have trouble concentrating. More serious symptoms occur if an artery becomes blocked rather than narrowed by plaque buildup.
Seeing a doctor is the first step in determining whether a person might have microvascular ischemia. Your doctor will perform several tests to determine how well your heart is working and whether there has been damage to the heart or artery walls. A nuclear scan will show if blood flow throughout the heart or brain is abnormal.
If the person is determined to have microvascular ischemia, there are several treatment plans that can be followed to increase the person’s quality of life and reduce the severity of symptoms. Blood thinners, including aspirin, will help increase the amount of blood that is able to flow through narrowed arteries. Medications that help manage a person’s high blood pressure, hypoglycemia, or high triglyceride levels are an effective method of treatment. Lifestyle changes, including losing weight, quitting smoking, and being more active, will prevent the condition from progressing any further.
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