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Read More... Feb 14, 2024Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a hardening of the blood vessels that carry oxygen from your heart to the rest of your body.
It refers to the build-up of cholesterol and fats in your artery walls, narrowing the arteries and restricting blood flow. Although atherosclerosis is typically thought of as a heart problem, it can occur anywhere in the body.
Mild atherosclerosis won’t present any symptoms, it is only when the artery is so narrow or clogged that is can’t supply enough blood to your organs. A blood clot can completely block the flow of blood and burst the artery or cause a heart attack or stroke. Moderate or severe atherosclerosis in your heart arteries will cause chest pain or pressure (angina).
If you have atherosclerosis in the arteries leading to your brain, you may have sudden weakness or numbness in your arms, or legs, slurred speech or trouble speaking, temporary loss of vision in one eye or drooping muscles in your face. If atherosclerosis in the brain is left untreated it may lead to a stroke.
If the arteries to the arms and legs area affected, you may have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, causing pain when walking.
If you have atherosclerosis the arteries leading to the kidneys, you will develop high blood pressure or kidney failure.
The exact cause of atherosclerosis is not known, yet it is a slow progressive disease that may start in childhood. It may start with damage to the inner layer of the artery, caused by high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, insulin resistance, diabetes, inflammation disease or high levels of triglycerides in your blood.
When the wall of an artery is damaged, blood cells will clump together at the site and build up to repair the wall. Over time, fatty deposits made of cholesterol will also gather at the site and harden, resulting in narrowed arteries.
Complications resulting from atherosclerosis could be coronary heart disease, carotid artery disease, peripheral artery disease, aneurysms or chronic kidney disease.
Treatment for atherosclerosis may begin with lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet and exercise.
Medications may also be required. Cholesterol drugs such as statins or fibrates can slow or even reserve the build-up of fatty deposits in your arteries. Anti-platelet medications such as aspirin may reduce the chances of the platelets clumping together at the site of the damage and narrowing the artery. Betablockers can slow the progression of atherosclerosis by lowering blood pressure. Angiotensis-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors can also lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of recurring heart attacks. Calcium channel blockers are sometimes used to treat angina. Water pills (diuretics) lower blood pressure.
Occasionally surgery may be needed to treat atherosclerosis. Procedures such as angioplasty and stent placement, endarterectomy, fibrinolytic therapy or bypass surgery are all options.
Drugs Used To Treat Atherosclerosis:
Drugs related to Atherosclerosis:
Blog Posts Related to Atherosclerosis:
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