Definition: Ischemia means there is insufficient blood flow to an organ, most often caused by a disorder of the blood vessels supplying the organ. An ischemic organ does not have enough oxygen and nutrients, and if ischemia is not treated, the cells within the organ can begin to die.
Ischemia of the heart is generally caused by coronary artery disease. Cardiac ischemia often causes chest pain, chest discomfort, and other symptoms which are referred to as angina.
