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

All this substantially raises the heart’s demand for oxygen and this can tip vulnerable patients toward ischemia, irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias), or heart-failure decompensation. —Bill Frist, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025

Chronic mesenteric ischemia occurs when plaque clogs the arteries that feed the gut. —Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 20 July 2025

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology notes that cardiac anaphylaxis can cause reduced blood flow to the heart (myocardial ischemia) and irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) when triggered by an allergy to insect venom. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2025

It is designed to combat ischemia, a condition where blood flow is restricted to body tissue, muscles or organs. —Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 19 June 2025

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

Rhymes for ischemia

• dyslipidemia

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