Atherosclerosis – Here Is A Slow, Progressive Disease!

If the fatty substances build up to form plague in the inner lining of the artery ,then that condition is called atherosclerosis .This can result in serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes .Since the blood vessels to the heart or brain is blocked , this conditions occur. Read more This article covers

This article covers

• Symptoms of Atherosclerosis
• Complications that May Arise from Atherosclerosis
• Causes of Atherosclerosis
• Diagnosis of Atherosclerosis
• Desired Atherosclerosis Treatment

Atherosclerosis disease is a build up of fatty substances, cholesterol and other substances (which form plaque) in the inner lining of the artery. This plaque usually causes damage when it ruptures and causes a blood clot. Serious problems (like heart attacks and strokes) can occur when plaques block off blood vessels to the heart or brain. That is why atherosclerosis treatment is so important.
Atherosclerosis is also known as the hardening of the arteries of plaque buildup in the arteries.

Symptoms of Atherosclerosis

There are not usually any atherosclerosis symptoms until atherosclerosis disease until the plaque deposits have had a serious effect on the blood flow. If blood flow to the heart is restricted, a person may suffer chest pain. Leg pain may occur when the blood flow to the legs is restricted.

Complications that May Arise from Atherosclerosis

The first sign of atherosclerosis is usually when complications have arisen because of the disease. Some problems that may arise from atherosclerosis include:

• The blood flow may be blocked;
• Coronary artery disease;
• Heart attack;
• Stroke;
• Insufficient blood supply to the legs and feet;
• Damage to organs.

Causes of Atherosclerosis

Most people as they grow older have at least some hardening of the arteries. Although there are no known atherosclerosis causes, certain conditions appear to increase the likelihood of atherosclerosis. It may be caused by damage to the endothelium, which is the inner layer of the artery. High risk factors for atherosclerosis include:

• High cholesterol levels
• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Family history of heart disease
• Kidney disease.

It is also thought that the formation of atherosclerosis may begin in childhood, getting progressively worse as the person gets older. The risk factors mentioned here may have the effect of speeding up the progress of the disease.

Diagnosis of Atherosclerosis

When a person is suspected of having atherosclerosis, the doctor will conduct or arrange medical tests to indicate whether there might be atherosclerosis or other medical problems. Depending on the circumstances, one or a few of the following tests may be performed:

• Measuring the ankle/brachial index by noting the difference between blood pressure in the ankles and arms
• Blood test
• Ultrasonic duplex scanning
• CT scan
• MRA (magnetic resonance arteriography)
• Arteriography
• Intravascular ultrasound
• Cardiac stress testing.

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