Atherosclerosis refers to a narrowing of the arteries that is caused by the accumulation of plaque. Arteries are blood vessels that transport oxygen and other nutrients between your heart and the rest of your body.
As you age the cholesterol, fats and calcium may build up in your arteries , and eventually form plaque. The accumulation of plaque causes blood to move through your arterial veins. This can happen throughout your body, such as around your legs, heart as well as the brain and kidneys.
It can cause the loss of oxygen and blood in different tissues of your body. The plaque fragments may also split, creating the formation of a blood clot. If left untreated, atherosclerosis may cause heart attacks stroke, heart attack, or failure, as well as other diseases.
Atherosclerosis is a very frequent problem that is associated with the aging process. The condition can be treated and numerous effective treatments are available.
Did you even know?
Atherosclerosis is one of the forms of arteriosclerosis, also called hardening of the arteries. The words “atherosclerosis” or “arteriosclerosis” are used interchangeably, however they refer to slightly different conditions.
The most common symptoms of atherosclerosis won’t manifest until there is a blockage. The most frequent symptoms are:
Angina or chest pain
discomfort in your arm, leg, and any other area that is blocked an artery
discomfort in the buttocks during walking
breathlessness
fatigue
the brain is confused, and this happens when the blockage hinders the circulation of your brain
Loss of sensory or motor functions on one part of your body. This happens if the blockage hinders the circulation of the brain.
Leg muscles weakness because of a insufficient circulation
It’s also essential to understand the signs that indicate a heart attack or stroke. Both of them can be caused by atherosclerosis, and need immediate medical attention.
The signs that a heart attack can cause are:
chest discomfort or pain
discomfort in the shoulders back, neck, jaw and arms
Abdominal discomfort
breathlessness
sweating
lightheadedness
nausea or vomiting
the feeling of imminent doom
The signs of stroke include:
Numbness or weakness of the limbs, face or the face.
trouble speaking
trouble understanding speech
issues with vision
Loss of balance
sudden, severe headache
A stroke or heart attack can be medical emergency situations. Contact 911 or the emergency services in your area and go to the an emergency room at the hospital as fast as you can when you begin to experience symptoms of an attack on your heart or stroke.
When plaque forms and the arteries get hard and inflamed, blood will have problems getting across them and to other parts of your body. The result is that organs and tissues from receiving the oxygenated blood they require to function.
The following are the most common reasons for the hardening of arterial walls:
High cholesterol
Cholesterol can be described as a waxy yellow substance that is naturally present in the human body and in certain foods that you consume.
If cholesterol levels within your bloodstream are excessively high, it could block your blood vessels. It forms a hard, swollen plaque that blocks the flow of blood to the heart and other organs.
Diet
It is essential to follow the right diet. According to the American Heart Association (AHA)Trusted Source recommends following an overall healthy eating pattern that emphasizes:
A wide variety of vegetables and fruits
Whole grains
dairy products that are low in fat
fish and poultry, but with skins
legumes and nuts
Non-tropical vegetable oils like sunflower or olive oil
Other diet-related tips:
Beware of foods and drinks that contain added sugars, like sweetened drinks, candy, and sweets. According to the AHA recommendsTrusted Source not over 6 teaspoons of sugar or 100 calories daily for women in general and not greater than nine teaspoons, or 150 calories a each day for the majority of men.
Beware of foods that are high in salt. You should aim to consume less than 2,300 milligrams sodiumTrusted Source daily. Ideally, you should consume less than 1,500 milligrams daily.
Beware of foods that are that are high in unhealthy fats like trans fats. Replace them with unsaturated fats that are healthier for your health. If you’re looking to reduce your blood cholesterol levels cut down on saturated fats to a maximum of 5-6 percent of your total calories from Trusted Source. If someone eats 2500 calories per day it’s around thirteen grams saturated fat.
Aging
As you get older your blood vessels and the heart are more prone to pump blood and get it into your body. Your arteries could stiffen and lose their elastic which makes them more vulnerable to plaque accumulation.
The doctor will conduct an examination of your body in the event that you exhibit signs of atherosclerosis. They’ll look for:
A pulse that is weak
An aneurysm is an unusual bulging, or widening an artery because of weakness in the wall of an arterial
Slow wound healing is a sign of a blocked blood flow
A noise, or a an erupting sound that blood makes as it flows through the artery that is blocked
A cardiologist can examine your heart to determine if you’ve got unusual sound. Your doctor may recommend further tests if they suspect you could be suffering from atherosclerosis.
Tests may include:
A blood test to determine your cholesterol levels
A Doppler ultrasound, which makes use of sound waves to produce an image of the artery, which will show if there’s obstruction
An ankle-brachial index is used to detect blockages in your legs or your arms by comparing blood pressure of each leg
A magnetic resonance angiography, or a computed tomography angiography that creates images of the massive arteries throughout your body.
A cardiac angiogram is a form of chest X-ray, which is performed after the heart’s arteries are filled with radioactive dye
An Electrocardiogram (ECG also known as an EKG) that analyzes the electrical activity of your heart, to identify areas with decreased blood flow
A stress test or the exercise tolerance test, that is a test to monitor the heart rate as well as blood pressure when you train on the treadmill or stationary bicycle
The treatment involves altering your way of life to reduce the amount of cholesterol and fat you consume. You can increase your exercise to increase the condition of your heart and blood vessels.
Your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes as the initial option for treatment. There may be other medical procedures including surgeries or medications.
Medicines
Medicines can stop atherosclerosis from getting worse.
The medications for treating atherosclerosis are:
Statins are cholesterol-lowering medications, which include statins.
angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, which may lower blood pressure
beta-blockers, that “rest” the heart.
Antiplatelet medications like aspirin, which prevent blood clotting and blocking your blood vessels.
Aspirin may be especially efficient for people who have an atherosclerotic history of cardiovascular disease, such as stroke and heart attack. A regimen of aspirin discussed with your physician could reduce your chance of experiencing another health issue in the event that you already suffer from atherosclerosis.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently issued updated guidelines regarding the use of aspirin to prevent cardiovascular disease. These guidelines could be useful to discuss with your physician.
If you don’t have any prior history of cardiovascular atherosclerosis take aspirin only to prevent bleeding in cases where your bleeding risk is low and your chance of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is extremely high. Be sure to discuss your aspirin regimen with your physician prior to taking it.
Surgery
If the symptoms are particularly intense or if muscle and skin tissue is in danger surgical intervention may be needed.
The possible surgeries to treat atherosclerosis are:
bypass surgery is using a artery from within your body, or a tube made of synthetic material to redirect blood flow around the narrowed or blocked artery
thrombolytic therapy is the process of breaking up a blood clot injecting the drug into the affected artery
Percutaneous coronary intervention and angioplasty is the process of using balloons and catheters to increase the size of your artery. often putting in a stent to ensure that the artery stays open
atherectomy is the process of removing plaque from your arteries using a catheter that has sharp blades on the other end.
endarterectomy, which is the procedure of surgically removing fat deposits from the artery
A variety of factors put at risk of developing atherosclerosis. Certain risk factors are able to be reduced however others cannot.
Family heritage
If atherosclerosis is a part of the family of yours, then you could be at risk of hardening of the arterial walls. It is possible to inherit this condition and also suffer from other heart-related issues.
Exercise is not enough
Regular exercise is beneficial for the heart. It helps keep your heart muscles robust and helps increase circulation of blood and oxygen throughout your body.
Inactivity can increase your chance of contracting a range of medical conditions, such as heart disease.
High blood pressure
The high blood pressure could cause damage to blood vessels, creating a weakening in specific regions. Cholesterol, along with other substances in your blood can reduce blood vessel flexibility with time.
Smoking
Tobacco products that are smoked can cause damage to the heart and blood vessels.
Diabetes
People who suffer from diabetes are more likely to be victims in coronary artery disease.
Lifestyle modifications can help stop and combat atherosclerosis, particularly for those suffering from type 2 diabetes.
Changes to your lifestyle that can be beneficial include:
eating a healthy , balanced diet low in cholesterol and saturated fats.
Beware of foods that are high in fats
Include fish in your diet every week in place of red meat
getting at minimum at least 75 minutes vigorous or moderately exercise per week
quit smoking if you’re smoker
keeping a moderate and healthy weight
managing stress
managing conditions that are associated with atherosclerosis including high cholesterol, hypertension, sleep apnea, obesity and treating diabetes
There may be improvement in your health as a result of treatment, but it could require some time. The effectiveness of your treatment will be contingent on:
how severe your health issue
how quickly it was treated
the extent to which other organs were affected
The arteries’ hardening cannot be reversed. But, treating the root causes and making healthy diet and lifestyle changes will help to slow the process down or even stop it from getting worse.
Be sure to work with your doctor to implement the right lifestyle adjustments. They’ll guide you to the right medications to manage your condition and help avoid complications.