ischemia

noun

is·​che·​mia i-ˈskē-mē-ə How to pronounce ischemia (audio)
: 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 adjective

Examples of ischemia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Keep in mind that changes in skin color are typically less pronounced in people with darker skin, so ischemia and necrosis may be harder to spot.24 Changes in temperature of fingers and toes. Alex Yampolsky, Verywell Health, 11 July 2024 Another focus is to create therapies using siRNA, or small interfering pieces of RNA that block the cascade of signals heart cells send out when they’re deprived of oxygen, that can lead to ischemia or other injury. Deborah Balthazar, STAT, 22 July 2024 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 See all Example Sentences for ischemia 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ischemia.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of ischemia was in 1855

Dictionary Entries Near ischemia

Cite this Entry

“Ischemia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ischemia. Accessed 16 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

ischemia

noun
isch·​emia
variants or chiefly British ischaemia
: 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
ischemically adverb
or chiefly British ischaemically

More from Merriam-Webster on ischemia

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