ischemia

noun

is·​che·​mia i-ˈskē-mē-ə 

: deficient supply of blood to a body part (such as the heart or brain) that is due to obstruction of the inflow of arterial blood

ischemic

i-ˈskē-mik 

adjective

Examples of ischemia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This is a warning sign that blood flow to the hands and feet is blocked (ischemia). —Alex Yampolsky, Verywell Health, 11 July 2024

Chronic mesenteric ischemia occurs when the blood supply fails to meet the demands of visceral organs, usually resulting in acute pain, according to the National Library of Medicine. —Ed Stannard, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2024

These are problems with the electrical signals in the heart, which can mimic the symptoms of cardiac ischemia (a condition where the heart muscle doesn’t get enough blood). —Scott Travers, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024

According to experts, the majority of patients who experience claudication will not develop severe vascular disease, like chronic limb-threatening ischemia. —Annie Waldman, ProPublica, 12 Dec. 2023

Word History

Etymology

New Latin ischaemia, from ischaemus styptic, from Greek ischaimos, from ischein to restrain (akin to Greek echein to hold) + haima blood — more at scheme entry 1

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

ischemia

noun

isch·​emia

variants or chiefly British ischaemia

is-ˈkē-mē-ə 

: deficient supply of blood to a body part (as the heart or brain) that is due to obstruction of the inflow of arterial blood (as by the narrowing of arteries by spasm or disease)

ischemic adjective

or chiefly British ischaemic

-mik 

ischemically adverb

or chiefly British ischaemically

-mi-k(ə-)lē