Ischemia refers to diminished blood flow through an artery that causes death to the muscle the artery is supplying. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to muscles, and when a muscle does not get enough blood, it literally suffocates. Ischemic heart pain is due to poor blood flow through the arteries of the heart. The heart muscle begins to die and the patient feels the classic symptom of chest pain. Ischemic heart disease occurs because of high cholesterol, smoking and high blood pressure, according to MayoClinic.com.
High Blood Pressure
When the heart pumps blood, it pumps against the resistance in the arteries. This resistance is called blood pressure. When the arteries are stiff and hard, the resistance the heart pumps against is high. The force needed to pump blood is increased and can cause microscopic tears in the lining of the arteries, according to the American Heart Association. This can cause scar tissue which acts as a matrix for cholesterol deposits. High blood pressure speeds up the aging process of the arteries which results in early arteriosclerosis. This systemic hardening of the arteries happens in the coronary arteries also. Coronary arteries that are unable to dilate to increase blood flow to the heart as needed will cause ischemia.
High Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that the body uses to aid in digestion. It is also a necessary component of hormone formation in the body. Too much cholesterol can cause blockages in the arteries. Cholesterol adheres to the lining of the arteries where it is deposited and begins to build-up. When these cholesterol plaques break apart, platelets are attracted to them, creating blood clots that can completely block an artery. A heart attack occurs when this happens in the small arteries of the heart. The ischemia that results can cause chest pain, sweating and loss of blood pressure.
Smoking
The American Heart Association calls smoking the single-most preventable cause of premature death. Smoking destroys the lining of the arteries called the endothelium. When the endothelium is damaged, the arteries become stiff and hard; this loss of elasticity is called arteriosclerosis. Endothelium damage attracts cholesterol plaques which cause blockage. The combination of stiff arteries that will no longer dilate to let blood flow through and cholesterol plaques that block blood flow to the heart can be a lethal combination. The American Heart Association reports that 440,000 deaths per year occur because of smoking-related causes. Smoking also contributes to high blood pressure.
