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Atherosclerosis

What is the main cause of atherosclerosis?

What is the main cause of atherosclerosis?

is thickening or hardening of the arteries caused by a buildup of plaque in the inner lining of an artery. Risk factors may include high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, obesity, physical activity, and eating saturated fats.

Atherosclerosis

Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from the heart to other parts of the body. Healthy arteries are soft, strong, and resilient, but over time, the high pressure on the arteries can make the arterial walls thick and hard, which can lead to a decrease in the amount of blood flowing through these. Arteries, this condition is described as calcification or hardening of the arteries.

Atherosclerosis is a specific type of arterial calcification, but these two terms are sometimes used as if they describe the same condition. Atherosclerosis describes a condition of the accumulation of layers, or fatty plaques ,  inside and on the walls of the arteries, as a result of which the blood flow through them is impaired.

These fatty plaques may burst and rupture, forming a blood clot or a blood clot as a result. Atherosclerosis is sometimes classified as a heart disease, but it may affect different arteries throughout the body. Atherosclerosis is one of the diseases that can be prevented and treated.

Symptoms of atherosclerosis

arises and develops gradually, and symptoms of atherosclerosis usually appear only when an artery narrows or sticks together in a way that impedes blood flow through it in sufficient quantities to organs and tissues, and in some cases a blood clot may block the artery completely or may break into many clots that may cause Heart attack  or stroke .

Symptoms of atherosclerosis vary according to the arteries that atherosclerosis affects. Sometimes atherosclerosis may cause problems with sexual performance in men. Here are the details:

  • in the arteries of the heart: It may cause symptoms similar to those caused by a heart attack, such as feeling chest pain.
  • Atherosclerosis in the arteries leading to the brain: It may cause symptoms such as loss of sensation or sudden weakness in all extremities, or in the legs only, difficulty speaking, and relaxation of some facial muscles.
  • Atherosclerosis in the arteries of the arms and legs: Causes symptoms of peripheral atherosclerosis, such as pain when walking.

Causes and risk factors of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis develops slowly and may begin to develop at a very early age, even in childhood, for example. The exact cause of atherosclerosis has not yet been known, but researchers tend to believe that the cause is an injury or injury to the inner layers of the artery.

Damage may arise due to the following factors:

  • high blood pressure ;
  • High blood cholesterol.
  • Exposure to stimulants or irritants such as nicotine.
  • Having certain diseases such as diabetes.

When the inner walls of the artery are damaged, blood cells called thrombocytes collect at the site of the wound, often in an attempt to repair the artery, causing inflammation.

Over time, fatty plaques made up of cholesterol and other wastes from accumulated cells also accumulate in the site of the wound, which leads to the narrowing and hardening of the arteries.

In the end may rupture these fatty plaques Vtnfsal parts of them going in the circulatory system as a result of that blood clots may consist cause damage to various organs in the body , as in the case of heart attack, was going blood clots in the blood will take you to other organs of the body and the blocked blood flow in Partial or complete, preventing blood from reaching another organ

It is known that the process of atherosclerosis continues for years, and in addition to advancing age, there are other reasons that may lead to an increase in the risk of atherosclerosis, most notably:

  • Diabetes .
  • obesity;
  • smoking.
  • A family history indicating that a family member had a pathological aneurysm or a heart disease at a young age.

Atherosclerosis complications

Complications that may arise from atherosclerosis are related to the sites of blocked arteries, for example:

1. Coronary arteries

When atherosclerosis narrows the arteries near the heart , coronary artery disease may develop that can cause chest pain.

2. Carotid Arteropathy (Arteria carotis)

When atherosclerosis narrows the arteries near the brain, carotid artery disease may develop that can result in a transient ischemic attack  or stroke.

3. Peripheral arteries

When atherosclerosis leads to narrowing of the arteries of the hands or legs, problems with blood flow to the hands and legs may arise. This condition is known as Peripheral vascular disease (PAD).

This disease leads to loss or impairment of sensation of heat and cold, which increases the risk of burns caused by exposure to extreme heat or cold. In some rare cases, a lack of proper blood flow in the feet and arms can lead to tissue damage.

4. Pathological aneurysm

Atherosclerosis may lead to a pathological aneurysm, which is one of the most serious complications, and may affect anywhere in the body. It appears as a bulge on its wall, and a common symptom of an aneurysm is pain and pulse at the site of injury, and if the aneurysm bursts, it may cause Severe internal bleeding that may end in death.

Often these conditions or pathological phenomena occur suddenly, but there are cases in which they appear gradually when there is a clot or blood clot within the aneurysm that may travel to another site, and then may lead to blockage of the artery at a distant point.

Diagnosis of atherosclerosis

A cardiologist can detect, by physical examination, signs of narrowing, expansion, or hardening of the arteries.

Depending on the results of the physical examination, your doctor may recommend one of the following tests:

1. Blood test

A laboratory blood test that detects high levels of cholesterol and sugar in the blood, which in turn increase the risk of atherosclerosis.

2. Ultrasound examination

Your doctor may use a special ultrasound machine to measure blood pressure in various parts of the body along the arm or foot.

3. Ankle-Arm Index Test

In this way, it is possible to detect whether the patient has atherosclerosis in the arteries of the legs or feet. The doctor compares the blood pressure in the ankle with the blood pressure in the arm, this comparison is called the ankle-arm index.

4. Electrocardiogram

In this examination, the electrical signals that pass through the heart are recorded, and it can often be detected with a previous heart attack or attacks, or a heart attack that is close to occurring.

5. Angiography

This test is used for a better and clearer view of the blood flow in the heart, brain , arms and feet. The doctor injects a special substance into the artery before the x-ray is performed.

6. Other imaging tests

The doctor may use other imaging tests such as ultrasound, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging  to examine the arteries. These tests help detect the presence of hardening or narrowing in the large arteries, and to detect the presence of calcium buildup on the arterial walls.

Atherosclerosis treatment

The changes that the patient may make to his life system, such as making sure to follow a healthy diet and maintaining physical activity are among the most important lines of protection and treatment for atherosclerosis diseases, but some specific cases require the use of drug treatments and surgical procedures.

There are many medications that help slow and sometimes repair the damage that atherosclerosis may cause. Some of the commonly used types of these medications are:

  • Cholesterol- lowering drugs .
  • Medicines that prevent blood clotting or clotting
  • Medications to treat high blood pressure.
  • other medicines.

The attending physician may recommend some pharmacological drugs designed to treat factors that increase the risk of atherosclerosis, such as diabetes, and in some cases, it is recommended to receive medications that treat atherosclerosis symptoms, such as foot pain caused by exercise .

There are some cases that require more treatment. In cases where severe symptoms appear, such as blockages that pose a threat to the arteries or body tissues, surgical treatment may be resorted to by one of the following surgeries:

  • Angioplasty.
  • Endarterectomy.
  • Thrombolysis treatments.
  • Coronary artery bypass graft.

Prevention of atherosclerosis

The introduction of lifestyle changes as recommended for the treatment of atherosclerosis would also contribute to the prevention of its infection, and among these changes that are recommended:

  • Stop smoking .
  • Eat healthy foods.
  • Maintain physical activity.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Limit your intake of alcoholic beverages.

It is important to pay attention to the need to introduce these changes to the lifestyle gradually, so that the easy changes are achieved first and then the changes that require more efforts to adopt.

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