Which cardiac condition can result from untreated ischemia?

Untreated ischemia can lead to a heart attack, which occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked for an extended period. Ischemia signifies that there is an inadequate supply of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle, often due to narrowed or blocked coronary arteries. If this condition persists, the heart tissue can start to die, leading to damage that manifests as a heart attack.

During a heart attack, the heart muscle lacks the oxygen it needs to function properly, resulting in chest pain, and potentially, heart rhythm issues or sudden cardiac arrest. Consequently, recognizing and treating ischemia promptly is critical to preventing a heart attack and subsequent complications.

While heart failure, stroke, and atrial fibrillation are serious conditions, they can arise from various other factors, including long-term ischemic heart disease, but the immediate consequence of untreated ischemia specifically is a heart attack.