'ischaemia' originates from New Latin/Greek, specifically the Greek word 'ἰσχαιμία' (iskhaimía), where 'ἰσχ-' (iskh-) meant 'to restrain, suppress' and 'αἷμα' (haima) meant 'blood'.

'ischaemia' was adopted into medical Latin and entered English in the 19th century as a technical medical term; it comes via New Latin from the Greek 'ἰσχαιμία' and has remained in medical usage in modern English.

Initially it referred generally to 'retention or suppression of blood'; it evolved to the current specific medical meaning 'local deficiency of blood supply (often from vessel obstruction)'.