A natural part of the aging process, arteriosclerosis
(thickening and hardening of the arteries) occurs more rapidly in some people
than others. Atherosclerosis, a type of arteriosclerosis, occurs when fatty
materials, from cholesterol and calcium, cause plaque deposits on the inner
artery walls. The plaque build-up
may reduce or block blood flow to entire portions of the body. Medium and large
arteries are affected and a heart attack or stroke may occur if an artery
becomes completely blocked.
Causes
Research is currently being conducted on the possible roles
of platelets and excess blood lipoproteins. Although the exact cause is not
known, many risk factors appear to play a role in atherosclerosis development.
Risk
Factors
-
High cholesterol or serum triglyceride levels
-
High blood pressure (Hypertension)
-
Smoking, particularly for atherosclerosis of coronary and
leg arteries
-
Family history of vascular disease
-
Diabetes
Symptoms
Symptoms are dependent
on which artery is affected.
Atherosclerosis of the Carotid artery,
which supplies blood to the brain, results in temporary or permanent strokes.
The Coronary artery supplies blood to the heart muscles.
Atherosclerosis can cause chest pain (angina pectoris) and as blood vessels
narrow this may lead to a heart attack (myocardial infarction).
Mesenteric arteries send blood to the bowels.
Atherosclerosis results in possible weight loss, abdominal pain, and/or bowel
death (mesenteric infarction).
Leg artery atherosclerosis results in muscle pain after
walking (claudication).
Renal arteries lead to the kidneys where blood is cleaned
and urine produced. High blood pressure (hypertension) is often caused by renal
atherosclerosis.
Diagnosis
| Blocked arteries make a noise
like water roaring over rapids. Your doctor can listen for this sound during a
check-up. If blocked arteries are suspected tests can measure
the amount of blood going to specific areas of the body. This helps to
pinpoint the type of arteries affected. Then an Arteriogram may be performed.
Arteriograms take x-ray pictures mapping any obstructions inside the artery. |
Treatment
A large variety of treatment options are
available to meet your individual needs.
Medicines exist to dilate smaller
arteries or to help lower blood cholesterol. Many medications are available for
control of diabetes and hypertension.
Surgery may be needed to treat specific diseased arteries
and reduce the risk of strokes and/or heart attacks.
The major types of surgery are:
-
Thromboendarterectomy: diseased inner layers of the
artery are removed.
-
Embolectomy: uses an inflatable balloon catheter to
remove clots on the artery wall.
-
Resection: surgical removal of an artery after an
aneurysm, or wall weakening, is followed by creating a bypass with a synthetic
graft.
-
Bypass: is the construction of a new artery around
the blockage area without removing the diseased artery.
Prognosis
Currently there are no medicines available
that cure Atherosclerosis.
It may begin as early as childhood and then slowly
progress. The deadly blow may
strike as early as age 30 or for others wait until their fifties or sixties.
Prevention using appropriate behavioral changes in diet and exercise are
tremendously effective in reducing the progress of atherosclerosis.
Prevention
The importance of lifestyle prevention practices cannot be
emphasized enough as a factor in preventing cardiovascular disease. Utilize a
proper diet to maintain blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels within normal
limits. Lose weight, if you’re overweight. If diabetic and/or you have
high blood pressure, take your medications regularly.
Please
visit the following sites for more information
American Heart Association
FDA:
Keeping Cholesterol Under Control with
colorful graphics explaining the cholesterol demon and how to control
it.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
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