Ischemia: Symptoms

What are the symptoms of ischemia?

Although pain is a common, ischemia may occur without any symptoms. Generally, symptoms depend on the location of the ischemia.

Common symptoms of ischemia of the heart

Symptoms of cardiac ischemia include:

• Chest pain or pressure, which may radiate to the back, arm, shoulder, neck, jaw or stomach
• Limitations of physical abilities
• Nausea with or without vomiting
• Palpitations or irregular heart rhythms
• Profuse sweating
• Shortness of breath

Common symptoms of ischemia of the brain

Symptoms of ischemia of the brain include:

• Balance problems, difficulty walking, and falls
• Confusion
• Difficulty with memory, thinking, talking, comprehension, writing or reading
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Loss of muscle coordination
• Loss of vision or changes in vision
• Nausea with or without vomiting
• Numbness or weakness
• Paralysis
• Weakness (loss of strength)

Common symptoms of other types of ischemia

Symptoms from ischemia in other parts of the body can include:

• Abdominal discomfort when eating
• Bloody stool (the blood may be red, black, or tarry in texture)
• Diarrhea
• Leg pain with walking or climbing stairs
• Nausea with or without vomiting
• Non-healing sores
• Pain
• Skin changes

Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition

In some cases, ischemia can be life threatening. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of these life-threatening symptoms including:

• Change in level of consciousness or alertness, such as passing out or unresponsiveness
• Chest pain, chest tightness, chest pressure, palpitations
• Garbled or slurred speech or inability to speak
• Paralysis or inability to move a body part
• Respiratory or breathing problems such as shortness of breath
• Seizure
• Severe abdominal pain or headache
• Sudden change in vision, loss of vision
• Vomiting blood or bloody stool