What is silent ischemia?
Ischemia is a condition where oxygen-rich blood flow is resticted to a particular part of the body. Cardiac ischemia is lack of the blood flow and oxygen to the heart. Silent ischemia is when this occurs with no pain or major symptoms. Silent ischemia can interfere the normal rhythm of the heart beat and in some cases can interfere with the heart's pumping ability and cause fainting or sudden cardiac death.

The American Heart Association estimates that as many as 3 to 4 million Americans experience silent ischemia and do not even know it. They can also experience heart attacks with no warning signs. Some major risk factors for silent ischemia include previous heart attacks, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, coronary artery disease, obesity, cardiomyopathy, and drug and alcohol abuse.

How is silent ischemia treated?
Treatment for silent ischemia is similar to many other cardiovascular diseases - lifestyle changes are first and foremost. Smoking cessation, elimination of drugs and alcohol, healthy diet, regular exercise, and management of blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol are all vital in the treatment of silent ischemia.