Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic Certification Practice Exam

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What is myocardial ischemia attributed to?

Excessive fuel supply to heart cells
Insufficient fuels getting to heart cells
Normal blood flow
Uninterrupted oxygen supply

The correct answer is: Insufficient fuels getting to heart cells

Myocardial ischemia occurs when there is an insufficient supply of blood to the heart muscle, leading to a lack of oxygen and nutrients. This condition is commonly caused by factors such as narrowed or blocked coronary arteries, which reduce the blood flow to the myocardium (the heart muscle). When the heart does not receive an adequate supply of oxygen-rich blood, it cannot function effectively, resulting in symptoms such as chest pain, discomfort, or even more serious complications like heart attacks. In contrast, having an excessive fuel supply or normal blood flow would not lead to ischemia; rather, adequate blood flow ensures that the heart receives the necessary oxygen and nutrients for its metabolic needs. An uninterrupted oxygen supply is essential for the heart's function; without it, ischemia can occur. Therefore, the correct answer points directly to the root cause of the problem: insufficient fuels, including oxygen and glucose, reaching the heart cells. This underscores the critical relationship between blood flow and the maintenance of healthy cardiac function.