Usually, reversable ischemia is an expression as a result of a stress test.. During a stress test, a radioisotope (named thallium or sestamibi) is injected at rest and images are obtained of blood flow to the heart muscle. Then, the same injection and images are obtained just after maximum exercise. The rest and exercise images are directly compared to determine if an area that has good blood supply at rest has a reduction in blood supply at peak exercise. If this is found, it is called stress-induced reversible ischemia and generally indicates that a significant coronary artery blockage is present.
Coronary artery ischemia can be treated with medication, stent implant or a bypass.