Ischemia is the reduced blood supply to tissues, leading to a deficiency of oxygen and nutrients. This can result in hypoxic injury, where cells are deprived of oxygen, leading to cell death. Ischemia can affect any tissue but is particularly detrimental to tissues with high oxygen demand, such as the heart and brain. Histologically, ischemic tissues show cell swelling, nuclear changes, and eventually necrosis if the blood supply is not restored.
