What does ischemia refer to?

Ischemia refers to a condition characterized by a lack of oxygen supply to the tissues. This occurs when blood flow is restricted or reduced, often due to obstruction in the blood vessels. The restricted blood flow limits the delivery of essential oxygen and nutrients that the tissues need to function properly.

In the context of cardiovascular health, ischemia can lead to complications such as angina (chest pain) or even myocardial infarction (heart attack) if the blood supply is significantly impaired for a prolonged period. Understanding this concept is critical in diagnosing and managing conditions related to restricted blood flow and oxygenation in the heart and other organs.

The other options refer to situations that do not align with the definition of ischemia: excess oxygen and excess blood flow indicate an abundance rather than a deficiency, and normal oxygen levels would imply that there is sufficient oxygen supply and thus no ischemic condition.