Final answer:
The suffix -emia means 'blood'. Ischemia refers to a condition where blood flow to an area is reduced, which can lead to severe health emergencies such as myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the term ischemia, the suffix -emia means blood. This suffix is commonly used in medical terminology to denote a condition related to the blood. In the context of ischemia, this refers to a reduced blood flow to a particular area of the body.
Ischemic conditions, such as myocardial infarction (heart attack) or ischemic stroke, are medical emergencies that occur when blood flow—and thus oxygen—is restricted or reduced in a part of the body, particularly the heart or brain. The absence of adequate blood flow can lead to tissue damage and cell death.
Myocardial infarction, for example, happens when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, often due to atherosclerotic plaque buildup within the coronary arteries. Similarly, an ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot or embolus obstructs a cerebral artery, severely limiting blood flow to brain tissue and potentially causing significant impairments.