Atherosclerosis occurs when the arteries increase in thickness and stiffness and have difficulty transporting blood flow normally throughout the body. In their optimal state, arteries are flexible, but as time passes they may have a tendency to become stiffer and lose effectiveness. Atherosclerosis is often also called atherosclerosis, although the latter term refers to a specific type of arteriosclerosis (referring to the accumulation of fats in the arterial walls). But both terms are often used interchangeably.
Causes of arteriosclerosis
Progressive disease
Atherosclerosis is a disease that develops over time, in a very slow process and that manifests itself by damaging the walls of the arteries. The main causes of this process are:
– Hypertension.
– Cholesterol.
– Excess triglycerides.
– Obesity.
– Smoking (by inhalation or aspiration).
– Suffer some inflammation for various reasons.
The injury to the artery causes the accumulation of fats and cells, which restricts the flow of blood at the proper rate. Blood does not circulate optimally and does not reach some organs sufficiently. Sometimes, fat and cholesterol can break loose and enter the blood, circulating throughout the body and causing clots in different parts of the body, even causing a heart attack.
The consequences depend on what type of arteries are affected and are very diverse:
– If it affects the arteries close to the heart, it can cause angina, heart attack or heart failure.
– If it affects the arteries near the brain, it can cause strokes.
– If it affects the arteries of the extremities, it can cause peripheral arterial disease that can lead to gangrene.
– Another possible consequence is suffering an aneurysm.
– If it affects the arteries near the kidneys it can cause kidney disease.
Symptoms of arteriosclerosis
difficult to detect
As atherosclerosis develops progressively, its symptoms are practically non-existent until a clot blocks blood circulation so much that it causes a heart or stroke type of accident. Symptoms may appear when arteriosclerosis is severe.
– If it affects the arteries of the heart, symptoms such as chest pain may appear.
– If they affect the arteries of the brain, symptoms such as numbness in the extremities, difficulty seeing and even problems speaking may appear.
– If they affect the extremities, symptoms such as pain in the legs and arms may appear.
Diagnosis of arteriosclerosis
Physical exam and blood tests
A thorough physical examination may reveal some symptoms of poor functioning of the arteries. For example:
– Weak pulse below the affected area of the artery
– Reduction of blood pressure in the affected area
– Murmurs that can be heard with a stethoscope
It is also common to do blood tests to measure sugar, cholesterol and triglyceride levels and also order an ultrasound to measure blood pressure in different parts of the body. Another very common test is the electrocardiogram. This test is complemented by a stress test to determine the performance of the heart subjected to physical effort.
Treatment and medication of arteriosclerosis
Balanced diet and moderate exercise
The best treatment is to have healthy lifestyle habits, including a balanced diet combined with moderate physical exercise. Sometimes it is also advisable to take some medications to reduce cholesterol or a simple aspirin, which has the virtue of reducing the chances of platelet accumulation in the narrowest arteries. It is also common to prescribe anti-blocking medications and diuretics.
When the situation is more serious, it is necessary to resort to surgery through angioplasty (insertion of a catheter) and the placement of stents that inflate the artery and make it wider. Another method is to create a bypass with tissues taken from other parts of the body.
Prevention of arteriosclerosis
No to obesity
The same recommendations to treat this disease are those that serve to prevent it.
– Balanced diet.
– Regular and moderate physical exercise.
– Do not consume tobacco or drugs.
– Drink alcohol only moderately.
– Control weight.
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