Atherosclerosis is the hardening and narrowing of the arteries caused by cholesterol plaque that lines the arteries over time. This can compromise blood flow by blocking the arteries.
Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. Atherosclerosis is a condition of hardening of the arteries caused by the accumulation of cholesterol plaque. Over time, this plaque, along with calcium and platelets, can continue to thicken until it finally completely blocks the artery.
Sufferers may know this disease as arteriosclerosis or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. It is a common cause of heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral vascular disease, which together are called cardiovascular disease.
Symptoms of Atherosclerosis
Most symptoms of atherosclerosis do not appear until a blockage occurs. However, there are some common symptoms when it does occur, namely:
- Chest pain or angina.
- Pain in the legs, arms, and other places where arteries are blocked.
- Cramps in the buttocks when walking.
- Hard to breathe.
- Fatigue.
- Confusion, which occurs if the blockage affects circulation to the brain.
- Loss of motor or sensory function on one side of the body, which occurs if a blockage affects circulation to the brain.
- Muscle weakness in the legs due to lack of circulation.
It is also important to know the symptoms of heart attack and stroke. Both of these can be caused by atherosclerosis and require immediate medical attention.
Well, here are some symptoms of a heart attack that you also need to be aware of:
- Chest pain or discomfort;
- Pain in the shoulders, back, neck, arms, and jaw;
- Stomach ache;
- Hard to breathe;
- Sweating;
- Dizzy;
- Nausea or vomiting;
Meanwhile, the symptoms of stroke include:
- Weakness or numbness in the face or limbs;
- Difficulty speaking;
- Difficulty understanding speech;
- Vision problems;
- Loss of balance;
- Suddenly, a severe headache.
Causes of Atherosclerosis
When plaque builds up and the arteries become hard and inflamed, blood has difficulty flowing through them to the rest of the body. This prevents the body’s organs and tissues from getting the oxygenated blood they need to function.
Well, here are the common causes of hardening of the arteries:
- High Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a waxy yellow substance found naturally in your body and in certain foods you eat. If your blood cholesterol levels are too high, it can clog your arteries. It then forms hard plaque that restricts or blocks blood flow to your heart and other organs.
- Aging
As you age, your heart and blood vessels work harder to pump and receive blood. Arteries may stiffen and become less elastic, making them more susceptible to plaque buildup.
- Dietary habit
It’s important to eat a healthy diet. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that you follow an overall healthy diet that emphasizes eating foods such as:
- A variety of fruits and vegetables;
- Whole grains;
- Low-fat dairy products;
- Poultry and fish, without skin;
- Nuts and legumes;
- Non-tropical vegetable oils, such as olive oil or sunflower oil.
Meanwhile, some other diet tips to prevent plaque buildup include:
- Avoid foods and drinks with added sugar, such as sweetened beverages, candy, and desserts. The AHA recommends no more than 6 teaspoons or 100 calories of sugar per day for most women and no more than 9 teaspoons or 150 calories per day for most men.
- Avoid foods high in salt. Aim for no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day. Ideally, you should consume no more than 1,500 milligrams per day.
- Avoid foods high in unhealthy fats, such as trans fats. Replace them with unsaturated fats, which are better for your health. If you need to lower your blood cholesterol, reduce saturated fat to no more than 5 to 6 percent of your total calories. For someone eating 2,000 calories a day, that’s about 13 grams of saturated fat.
Atherosclerosis Risk Factors
Many factors put a person at risk for atherosclerosis. Some risk factors can be modified or prevented, while others cannot. Risk factors include:
- Family History
If atherosclerosis runs in your family, you may be at risk for hardening of the arteries. A person can inherit this condition as well as other heart-related problems.
- Lack of Exercise
Regular exercise is good for your heart because it strengthens the heart muscle and pushes oxygen and blood flow throughout the body. Lack of exercise has also been linked to an increased risk of a number of medical conditions, including heart disease.
High blood pressure can damage blood vessels by making them weak in some areas. Cholesterol and other substances in the blood can decrease the flexibility of arteries over time.
- Smoke
Smoking tobacco products can damage blood vessels and the heart.
- Diabetes
People with diabetes have a much higher incidence of coronary artery disease.
Atherosclerosis Diagnosis
Your doctor will do a physical exam if you have symptoms of atherosclerosis. They will check for things like:
- The pulse is getting weaker;
- Aneurysm, or abnormal bulging or widening of an artery due to weakness in the artery wall;
- Slow wound healing, indicating limited blood flow;
- A bruit, or the sound of blood flowing through a blocked artery.
A cardiologist may listen to your heart to see if you have any atypical sounds. Doctors will order more tests if they think someone may have atherosclerosis.
Tests may include:
- Blood tests to check cholesterol levels;
- Doppler ultrasound, which uses sound waves to create images of the arteries to show if there are any blockages;
- Ankle-brachial index, which looks for blockages in the arms or legs by comparing blood pressure in each limb;
- Magnetic resonance angiography or computed tomography angiography, which creates images of the large arteries in the body;
- Cardiac angiogram, which is a type of chest X-ray taken after the heart arteries are injected with radioactive dye;
- Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), which measures the electrical activity in the heart to look for areas of reduced blood flow;
- A stress test, or exercise tolerance test, which monitors heart rate and blood pressure while exercising on a treadmill or stationary bike.
Complications of Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis can cause several complications, such as:
- Heart failure;
- Heart attack;
- Abnormal heart rhythm;
- Stroke
This condition can also lead to several conditions such as:
- Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary arteries are blood vessels that supply the heart muscle tissue with oxygen and blood. This disease occurs when the coronary arteries become hardened.
- Carotid Artery Disease
The carotid arteries are found in the neck and supply blood to the brain. They can become compromised if plaque builds up on their walls. Poor circulation can reduce how much blood and oxygen reaches brain tissue and cells.
- Peripheral Artery Disease
The legs, arms, and lower body rely on arteries to supply blood and oxygen to their tissues. Hardened arteries can cause circulation problems in these areas of the body.
The renal arteries supply blood to the kidneys and the kidneys filter waste products and extra water from the blood. Atherosclerosis of these arteries can lead to kidney failure.
Atherosclerosis Treatment
Treatment for atherosclerosis will involve changing your current lifestyle to reduce the amount of fat and cholesterol you consume. You can exercise more to improve your heart and blood vessel health.
Your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes as a first-line treatment. You may also need additional medical treatments, such as medications or surgery.
- Drugs
Medications can help prevent atherosclerosis from getting worse. Medications to treat atherosclerosis include:
- Cholesterol-lowering drugs;
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, which can lower blood pressure;
- Beta-blockers, which “rest” the heart;
- Antiplatelet drugs such as aspirin to prevent blood from clotting and blocking arteries.
Aspirin can be very effective for people with a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes. Taking aspirin when discussed with your doctor can potentially lower your risk of having another health event if you already have atherosclerosis.
However, if you do not have a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, only use aspirin as a preventive medicine if your risk of bleeding is low and your risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is high. Always discuss the dosage of aspirin with your doctor first.
- Surgery
If symptoms are very severe or if muscle or skin tissue is threatened, surgery may be necessary. Possible surgeries to treat atherosclerosis include:
- Bypass surgery, which involves using a blood vessel from elsewhere in the body or a synthetic tube to divert blood around a blocked or narrowed artery.
- Thrombolytic therapy, which involves dissolving blood clots by injecting medication into the affected artery.
- Angioplasty and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, which involves using a catheter and balloon to widen the artery, sometimes inserting a stent to keep the artery open.
- Atherectomy, which involves removing plaque from an artery using a catheter with a sharp blade on one end;
- Endarterectomy, which involves surgically removing fatty deposits from the arteries.
Prevention of Atherosclerosis
There are several lifestyle changes that can help prevent and treat atherosclerosis, especially for people with type 2 diabetes. Helpful lifestyle changes include:
- Eat healthy foods that are low in saturated fat and cholesterol.
- Avoid fatty foods.
- Add fish to your diet twice a week and avoid red meat.
- Do at least 75 minutes of vigorous exercise or 150 minutes of moderate exercise every week.
- Stop smoking if you are a smoker.
- Maintain a moderate and healthy weight.
- Managing stress.
- Treating conditions associated with atherosclerosis, such as hypertension, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, obesity, and diabetes.
When to See a Doctor?
For groups of people who have risk factors, it is advisable to regularly check with a doctor, in order to prevent complications from atherosclerosis. To do the check-up, you can immediately make an appointment with a doctor at the hospital of your choice.