Ischemia is the reduction in blood flow to a tissue resulting in decreased oxygen and nutrient supplies to the tissue which may lead to cell death if not reversed.
Risk factors to ischemia includes:
1. Vascular diseases
2. Trauma
3. High blood pressure
4. Tobacco
5. Physical inactivity
6. High cholesterol.
Ischemia can be acute or chronic depending on its course of action. Acute ischemia occurs when there is a sudden decrease in the flow of blood to a tissue while chronic ischemia occurs when there is a gradual decrease in blood flow to a tissue.
Ischemia can be reversible when blood flow to the tissue returns. When irreversible, it leads to cell death.
