The use of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) virions for delivery of genes encoding angiogenic factors to muscle tissue is disclosed. The invention describes such methods of delivery and also describes methods for treating an ischemic condition such as myocardial ischemia. The methods include direct delivery of rAAV virions to a muscle via intramuscular injection and indirect delivery to a muscle via an injection into a blood vessel supplying blood to the muscle. The invention provides for sustained expression of the rAAV virion-delivered angiogenic factor gene or genes, which subsequently leads to a quantifiable therapeutic angiogenic factor gene or genes, which subsequently leads to a quantifiable therapeutic effect, namely an increase in new blood vessel formation resulting in an increase in blood flow to the ischemic muscle tissue.