Myocardial oxygen supply and consumption are normally tightly coupled. However, an imbalance can arise where the heart’s need for oxygen exceeds the available supply. This condition, often triggered by increased heart rate, contractility, or ventricular wall tension, results in inadequate oxygen delivery to meet the metabolic demands of the cardiac muscle. Angina, or chest pain, may be a clinical manifestation of this state.
The significance of understanding this phenomenon lies in its potential to cause myocardial dysfunction and damage. Recognizing the underlying mechanisms allows for targeted therapeutic interventions to improve oxygen delivery or reduce myocardial workload. Historically, efforts to manage this condition have focused on lifestyle modifications, pharmacological interventions, and, in some cases, surgical procedures to improve coronary blood flow and alleviate cardiac stress. Understanding the pathophysiology aids in accurate diagnosis and timely treatment, potentially preventing progression to more severe cardiac events.
