Knowingly or unknowingly all of us molded our Lifestyle according to the present situations. Modern science, technology, and development has no doubt made our life easier and has doubled the life expectancy. But the changing lifestyle, sedentary habits, stress and unhealthy eating have affixed us the disease of modern civilization. There are lot may new diseases daily peeping into our world. But, the one which stood as most menacing is Atherosclerosis. So, we will explain you all the details about atherosclerosis like how atherosclerosis develops, its causes, symptoms, risk factors, Tests, diagnosis, treatment, preventive measures, diet, and lifestyle changes that can keep atherosclerosis at bay.
Therefore, study the complete info about Atherosclerosis and also learn the Preventive Steps to avoid this disease. Let us start with the details of What it is.
What is Atherosclerosis? (Atherosclerosis Meaning)
Atherosclerosis Definition or Define Atherosclerosis:
It is defined as narrowing of the arteries or the blood vessels that carries nutrients and oxygen from the heart to the other parts of the body. The thickening and the stiffness of the artery slowly block it partially or entirely and reduces the supply of the blood and oxygen to the vital organs and tissues. It happens due to the clogging of the arteries with atheromas or fatty substance known as plaques. Development of atherosclerotic plaque increases the risk of blood clot and may result in stroke, heart attack and peripheral vascular disease. The above info is completely about etiology of Atherosclerosis.
In short Atherosclerosis is a type of arteriosclerosis heart Disease (a general term used to define hardening and thickening of the arteries) that is caused by building up of cholesterol, fats and other substances such as calcium, fibrin, and cellular waste products on the walls of the artery that restricts the flow of the blood. Both Carotid Atherosclerosis & Aortic Atherosclerosis due to the blockage of respective arteries. If the aorta got damaged then the Situation is called Aortoiliac Atherosclerosis or Atherosclerosis of arota. Like wise it is for Carotid Atherosclerosis too.
How to lower cholesterol Naturally?
How does atherosclerosis develop?
A healthy artery is elastic and flexible. Arteries are blood vessels that carry nutrients and oxygen throughout the body from the heart and are lined by endothelium that is a thin layer of the cells. The Endothelium keeps the arteries smooth and toned and maintains the flow of the blood. How exactly atherosclerosis vascular disease develops is a very complicated process without any exact cause. But one of the theories given by the scientists says that the damage to the endothelium starts the formation of atherosclerotic plaque. Three factors are said to be responsible for causing the damage to the endothelium, and they are as follows:
- High blood pressure
- High level of triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood
- Smoking.
LDL or the bad cholesterol crosses this damaged endothelium and enters the arterial wall. It causes streaming of the macrophage white blood cells that are sent by the body’s immune system to digest the bad cholesterol and clean up LDL. But as they get filled with cholesterol, they get trapped and provokes an inflammatory response. The swollen macrophages then become a plague component. On sticking to the artery wall macrophages secrete netrin-1 that stops the macrophages from leaving. Over the time the cells and the cholesterol form plaque that accumulates in the wall of the artery and disrupts the flow of the blood.
More about Coronary Atherosclerosis
Cholesterol, Fats, platelets, cellular debris, calcium and white blood cells accumulate at the site of the formation of the atherosclerotic lesion in the innermost layer of the artery. Among them, many cells divide. Also, there is building up of fats and other debris around and inside the cell that also forms connective tissues. All this causes the thickening and the narrowing of the arteries. With time a bump is created on the wall of the arteries. As this bump gets big enough, it creates a blockage and restricts the blood flow. Many people have a misconception that atherosclerosis affects the only heart, but this process goes throughout the entire body. This condition may affect the arteries of any part of the body. Thus, just not only the heart is at risk, but atherosclerotic plaques also affect other vital organs of the body.
We also read the Pathophysiology of Atherosclerosis. Now one of the important points to be noted is that it affects only medium-sized and large arteries. The site of the plaque formation and the type of artery affected varies with individual to individual. After the plaques occur, it may behave differently in the following ways. Lets us talk in detail about the plaque Attacks. There are many types of this Disease. Cerebral Atherosclerosis is one Among all these Types.
Atherosclerosis vs Arteriosclerosis/ Arteriosclerosis vs Atherosclerosis
What distinguishes atherosclerosis from arteriosclerosis?
Definition of Atherosclerosis: It is a disease of the arteries characterized by the deposition of fatty material on their inner walls.
Definition of Arteriosclerosis: the thickening and hardening of the walls of the arteries, occurring typically in old age.
Therefore, a hairline variation is there for both the terms.
Remedies to treat Childhood Obesity
What are the different ways of plaque attacks?
Know the various ways of the Plaque Attacks below:
- Sometimes plaque stays on the wall of the artery and stops growing, attaining a certain size. They do not block the flow of the blood and thus do not display any symptoms.
- In the case, the plague grows slowly and in a controlled way it eventually causes any significant blockage that may cause pain in the legs and chest on exertion.
- If the narrowing of the arteries become severe, blood flow may get choked causing pain in the chest.
- If Blockage ruptures suddenly it causes the blood to clot at the ruptured site. And if the blood clot is formed, it blocks the artery.
The worst outcome is when sudden rupture of plaque leads to the formation of the blood clot inside an artery and stops the blood flow. If the blood and the oxygen supply to the muscles, reduce it causes a heart attack. If the blood and the oxygen supply to the brain cut off, it results in stroke and if the oxygen supply to the extremities decreases it leads to gangrene. And all of them are life threatening conditions that may result in death. Therefore, be aware of all these things. So, avoid the foods that cause Plaques in our Arteries.
What are the causes of Atherosclerosis disease?
These are the Risk factors of Atherosclerosis. Common Atherosclerosis causes are as follows:
- High Cholesterol- An important cause of atherosclerosis is a high level of cholesterol in your blood. Cholesterol is a yellow and waxy substance that naturally occurs in the body as well as in certain foods that we eat. When its level increases in the blood, it starts getting accumulated on the innermost layer of the arterial wall and clogs the arteries. Over the time it gets hard and decreases or blocks the circulation of the blood to the heart and other body organs.
- Fat- Like cholesterol, an excess of fats gets accumulated in the arteries and contributes to the formation of the plague. Thus, if you are eating foods rich in fat you are increasing your chances of the atherosclerotic plaque build up.
- Aging- Atherosclerosis is also called as a silent killer as it is a slowly progressing disease that may begin in the early childhood. In a few people, atherosclerosis may progress rapidly after 30 years of age. But, in others, it does not take a dangerous form until they reach the 50s or maybe 60’s. In most of the cases, no symptoms are displayed by atherosclerosis until middle or old age. With advancing age, your blood vessels and heart have to work hard to pump and receive the blood. It weakens the arteries and also the elasticity of the arteries decrease. Thus, they become more susceptible to the formation of the plaque. So as one gets older, the hardening of the arteries to some extent is normal.
- Smoking- Smoking speeds as well as aggravates the growth of atherosclerotic plaques in the aorta, coronary arteries and the arteries of your legs.
Diseases that are caused due to plaque
The atherosclerotic plaque may cause following diseases:
-
Coronary artery disease:
The Coronary Arteries are the blood vessels that provide the tissues of the heart muscles with blood and oxygen. Stable plaques in the arteries of the heart prevent the flow of the blood to the heart. It may cause pain in the chest known as Angina. If sudden rupture of the plaque occurs, it may cause clotting that may restrict the flow of the blood causing lack of oxygen supply the heart muscle. It results in the death of the heart muscles and finally heart attack.
-
Cerebrovascular disease:
If the plaques formed in the artery that supplies oxygen and blood to the brain get rupture it cuts off the oxygen supply to the brain cells and results strokes. It may cause permanent brain damage. In the case of temporary blockages in an artery transient, ischemic attacks (TIAs) may happen. It does not result in any brain injury, but it is, the warning signs of stroke.
-
Peripheral artery disease:
If the hardening or narrowing of the arteries that supply oxygen and blood to the legs and arms occur, then these areas suffer from poor circulation due to the accumulation of the plaque. It caused pain on walking and delayed healing of the wounds. Severe cases may cause amputations.
-
Kidney Disease:
If the renal arteries that supply blood to the kidneys are affected by atherosclerosis, it may lead to renal failure.
Individuals at the Risk for Atherosclerosis
Thera are many factors that are responsible for increasing the risk for atherosclerosis. Having a knowledge of them is crucial. Although some factors cannot be prevented, many of the risk factors can be avoided.
- Family History: Atherosclerosis and other heart diseases may run in families and also sometimes inherits to next Generation. So if any of your family members suffers from atherosclerosis, you are also at the risk of hardening of the arteries.
- Lack of Exercise: Modernization and advanced technology to some extent have made us lazy. Sedentary habits increase the risk of heart disease and other life-threatening conditions.
- Diet: If your diet is high in cholesterol and fats you are increasing your risk to develop atherosclerosis.
- High Blood Pressure: High blood pressure or hypertension can damage endothelium of your blood vessels. It helps in the precipitation of cholesterol, fats, and other substances that form plaque and reduces the flexibility of the arteries.
- Smoking: Smoking damages the heart and the blood vessels.
- Diabetes: Individuals who have diabetes are more at the risk of developing coronary artery disease.
What Are the Symptoms of Atherosclerosis?
Symptoms of atherosclerosis may not be visible until and unless a blockage occurs that disrupts the flow of blood. Common Atherosclerosis symptoms are as follows:
- Pain in the chest
- Pain in your arms, legs.
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Confusion
- The weakness of the muscles of the legs.
It is also important to acknowledge the symptoms of stroke and heart attack. Due to Atherosclerosis, Heart Attack and Stroke may occur. And both are life threatening conditions and requires immediate medical attention.
Symptoms of a heart attack:
- Chest pain
- Pain in the shoulders, neck, arms, jaw and back.
- Abdominal pain
- Sweating
- Shortness of breath
- Lightheadedness
- Restlessness
- Nausea and vomiting
Symptoms of stroke are:
- Numbness in the limbs or face
- Weakness of the limbs
- Trouble in speaking and understanding speech
- Vision problems
- Severe headache
- Loss of balance
Thus, the above Symptoms are most common in the Patients with this disease.
Diagnosis of Atherosclerosis
ICD-9 code for Atherosclerosis is a billable medical code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis on a reimbursement claim. However, it should only be used for claims with a date of service on or before the specified date. If you display symptoms of atherosclerosis, your doctor will conduct a physical examination to check
- Weakened pulse
- An Aneurysm
- Slow wound healing that indicates a disrupted blood flow
- A cardiologist will listen to your heart sounds to detect any abnormal heart sounds.
Also, check the Test that a doctor recommend for the s
Tests that we need to include:
- A blood test- To check the level of blood cholesterol
- A Doppler ultrasound- To see if there is any blockage
- Ankle-brachial index test-To detect any blockage in the arms or legs.
- Magnetic resonance arteriography (MRA)
- Computed tomography angiography (CTA)
- Cardiac Angiogram
- Electrocardiogram (EKG)
- An exercise tolerance test or stress test.
Therefore, these are the necessary test for Atherosclerosis Diagnosis.
Treatment of Atherosclerosis
Besides particular medication, the atherosclerosis treatment mainly includes changes in diet and lifestyle. You need to limit the intake of fat and cholesterol rich food along with practicing exercise and yoga. It will improve the health of the heart and the blood vessels. Also, it slows or stops the growth of plagues. In some cases of aggressive treatment, the plagues may also shrink slightly. The additional medical treatments include medications that prevent the worsening of atherosclerosis. They include:
- Cholesterol-lowering medications- Statins and fabric acid derivatives.
- Anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs – for example, aspirin.
- Anti-hypertensive drugs- calcium channel blockers or Bets-blocker.
- Diuretics, or water pills, to help lower your blood pressure.
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors- To prevent narrowing of the arteries.
- Thrombolytic therapy1.
If symptoms are severe, the patient should undergo surgery. Possible surgeries include:
- Bypass surgery- In this, a healthy blood vessel, usually from the leg or chest is used to divert the blood around the narrowed artery.
- Angioplasty- It is surgical unblocking of the artery.
- Endarterectomy- In this, Removal of a part of the inner lining of an artery takes place. It happens surgically along with the obstructive deposit.
- Atherectomy- It is a minimally invasive surgery to remove the atherosclerosis plaques from the blood vessels.
Therefore, Study the information carefully. It also will at least creates awareness about all the Treatments.
Prevention of Atherosclerosis
How to Prevent atherosclerosis? It is to some extent preventable by bringing changes in the lifestyle and eating habits. Below are the changes you need to make:
- If you are obese, try to reduce your weight.
- Stay active- Exercise regularly for 30-45 minutes as it keeps the heart and blood vessels healthy, improves blood circulation and enhances the development of new blood vessels. Taking the stairs instead of elevators are always a better option. Do not sit for long in one position, give a small break of 5 minutes every hour.
- Eat healthy food- Reduce the intake of foods rich in cholesterol and fats. Shift on to healthy fats that is polyunsaturated fats for example vegetable oil. Avoid trans-fats and saturated fats. Limit the intake of salt and refined sugar Add complex carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables to your diet. Avoid alcohol. Drink at least 8-9 glasses of water every day.
- Quit smoking.
- Manage stress- Try breathing exercise, yoga, and meditation to reduce stress.
The above preventive measures may help you in Atherosclerosis Prevention. Therefore, not in all the cases, but some of us may still have a chance to get rid of this dangerous Disease. We hope you find this article helpful. Stay healthy always.