noun

ischemia

/ɪsˈkiːmiə/ · say it: is·KEE·mee·uh

an inadequate blood supply to an organ or tissue

In more detail

1. (noun) a medical condition in which blood flow to a part of the body is reduced or blocked, causing a lack of oxygen in that tissue

Examples

1. The stroke was caused by cerebral ischemia, when blood vessels in the brain became blocked.

How to use ischemia

Ischemia is a technical medical term used to describe inadequate blood supply to tissue, typically in clinical or scientific contexts. It is often paired with anatomical locations (myocardial, cerebral, peripheral) to specify which body part is affected. The term is more precise than 'oxygen deprivation' because it specifically refers to insufficient blood flow rather than oxygen lack alone.

Common phrases

myocardial ischemia
cerebral ischemia
limb ischemia
acute ischemia
chronic ischemia
ischemic heart disease

Synonyms

hypoxia · oxygen deprivation · tissue necrosis · vascular insufficiency

Word family

ischemic (adjective) · ischemically (adverb)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse ischemia with hypoxia; while related, ischemia refers to reduced blood flow whereas hypoxia refers to low oxygen levels in blood or tissue.

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