What is coronary ischemia?

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Coronary ischemia means the heart muscle isn’t getting enough blood flow to meet its needs. The coronary arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to the myocardium, so any narrowing or blockage—from atherosclerosis or a clot—reduces oxygen delivery. When the oxygen supply falls short of demand, heart tissue suffers a mismatch that can produce chest pain and, if it lasts, can cause injury or heart attack. It’s about reduced perfusion to heart tissue, not an increase in oxygen or an excess of blood flow, and not something involving the lungs.