As a medical professional with expertise in cardiology, I can explain the term "ischemic heart disease" and its implications for the heart's function. Ischemic heart disease (IHD) refers to a condition where there is a reduced supply of blood to the heart muscle due to a blockage or narrowing of the coronary arteries. These arteries are responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood to the heart. When the flow of blood is restricted, the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen, which can lead to chest pain (angina) and, if severe and prolonged, may result in a heart attack. The most common cause of IHD is atherosclerosis, a disease where the artery walls thicken due to a buildup of plaque, which is a deposit of fat, cholesterol, and other substances. This plaque buildup can obstruct the flow of blood. Interestingly, atherosclerosis can be present without obvious signs when looking at the artery lumens through angiography, which is a medical imaging technique used to visualize the inside of blood vessels. read more >>

The coronary arteries supply blood to the heart muscle and no alternative blood supply exists, so a blockage in the coronary arteries reduces the supply of blood to heart muscle. Most ischaemic heart disease is caused by atherosclerosis, usually present even when the artery lumens appear normal by angiography.read more >>