Dorothy FarrarAtherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
Arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries, hardening of the arteries) is the pathological constriction of the blood vessels due to deposits. These deposits, which primarily consist of fats (cholesterol), are gradually deposited on the inner walls of the vessels. The slow hardening, thickening and narrowing of the arteries can lead to complete vascular occlusion (e.g. heart attack, stroke).
What is atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)?
Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) is an arterial system disease caused by deposits on the inner walls of the vessels. These deposits consist largely of blood fats ( cholesterol ).
The substance is used by the body to patch and repair tiny tears in the artery. However, when there are too many tears, cholesterol builds up and causes the vessels to thicken, narrow and lose elasticity. It is now harder for the blood to pass through the vascular site.
If a blockage blocks the artery, the reduced blood flow can lead to serious secondary diseases. These include arterial diseases such as myocardial infarction , thrombosis, angina pectoris , stroke or sudden cardiac death.
causes
The cause of arteriosclerosis is to be found in the unhealthy lifestyle of modern people. Cholesterol is not responsible for the disease, as is commonly believed, but rather the way of life that causes the cracks in the vessels that need to be filled with cholesterol.Wrong, unhealthy diet, too little exercise and other less sensible ways of life lead to tears in the blood vessels over time, more so than natural aging brings with it anyway.
The high-cholesterol diet, which is a problem in western industrialized nations, only contributes to the body having more than enough building blocks to repair cracks. Over time, however, foam cells containing a fatty core develop from the cemented areas.
They spread more and more to the artery and over time not only change their tissue, but also, for example, muscle fibers on the wall. If this affects the aorta, for example, this leads to circulatory disorders , since the muscles are important for their movement.
When to the doctor?
In the case of sensory disturbances in the body, a doctor’s visit is necessary as soon as they occur for several hours or days without any apparent reason. If the sensory disturbances increase in intensity or if they spread further, a doctor must also be consulted. Sensory disturbances that cause concern include numbness on the skin or a tingling sensation. Circulatory disorders occur that must be diagnosed and treated. If the disorders occur in the area of the legs, the upper body or the neck, special care is required.
An unusual heartbeat, a feeling of pressure in the chest or a feeling of tension must be examined and treated by a doctor. If you experience chest pain or attention problems, you must consult a doctor as soon as possible. In severe cases, a life-threatening condition threatens, so that an emergency doctor must be called in the event of a loss of consciousness or other functional failures, such as motor skills or speech. The risk of a heart attack or stroke is greatly increased.
If you have muscle problems in your legs, changes in urination or pain in the kidney area, you should consult a doctor. If you have persistent high blood pressure or heart palpitations, you should see a doctor. Dizziness, insomnia or a general feeling of being unwell are symptoms that should be checked out by a doctor.
symptoms and course
Arteriosclerosis initially causes no symptoms. Only when the vessels are so heavily calcified that the patency is reduced by 70% do symptoms become noticeable. It always depends on which vessels are affected. If the calcifications are on the coronary arteries, the blood flow to the heart muscle is reduced. This can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac insufficiency (weak heart), angina pectoris (chest tightness) or a heart attack.
These diseases become noticeable through reduced performance, through breathing difficulties or through heart palpitations or palpitations. If cerebral vessels are affected by arteriosclerosis, this can trigger a stroke .
Depending on the area of the brain in which the vascular calcification is located, it can cause speech disorders, paralysis or impaired perception. If the arteries in the leg or pelvis are calcified, the blood supply to the muscles there is poorer.
Atherosclerosis leads to pain in the legs, which usually occurs after brief movements. After a period of rest they subside, but with further exertion the pain returns.
The course of arteriosclerosis depends on where the calcification is located and how far it has progressed when the diagnosis is made. If left untreated, life-threatening diseases can result. If arteriosclerosis is recognized in the early stages, the deposits can form again. However, this requires a healthy lifestyle, avoiding nicotine, a balanced diet and exercise.
Diagnose
Atherosclerosis is often difficult to diagnose and is often not made until the late stage of the disease. Atherosclerosis causes no symptoms as long as there are no detectable secondary diseases. The secondary diseases caused by arteriosclerosis are diverse and depend on which organ is affected. It can lead to a stroke, circulatory problems in the heart or kidney failure. Preventive medical check-ups can reduce the risk of serious diseases caused by arteriosclerosis, especially in high-risk patients.
A patient’s risk of developing arteriosclerosis can be determined by taking an accurate medical history. Questions are asked about living and eating habits, nicotine consumption, activity level or possible family predispositions.
If the patient belongs to a risk group, imaging methods such as ultrasound examinations are used to examine at least the larger arteries in the body for possible arteriosclerosis. The accuracy of these procedures is increased by injecting contrast media during angiography. Pathological changes in arteries become particularly clear and can ideally be treated before a secondary disease occurs.
complications
As atherosclerosis progresses, the risk of complications increases. These can show up in different organs. The heart is particularly affected by hardening of the arteries. This often leads to the development of coronary heart disease (CHD), which is accompanied by angina pectoris attacks (narrowing of the chest). As the disease progresses, there is a risk of pain in the heart area, which is a warning sign of a heart attack.
Arteriosclerosis also affects the blood vessels that supply the brain, such as the carotid arteries and their cerebral branches. As a result, various cerebral complaints are possible, such as flickering eyes, dizziness or concentration problems. In the worst case, a life-threatening stroke can occur. This is mainly caused by a blockage due to a blood clot. The affected artery is no longer able to supply specific areas of the brain with oxygen.
Hardening of the arteries also often has a negative effect on the arteries in the legs. The people affected suffer from what is known as intermittent claudication . It is not uncommon for the nerves to be affected by arteriosclerosis. Blood pressure increases due to decreased blood flow, causing hypertension that is difficult to treat. If the arteriosclerosis affects the blood flow and the functions of the kidneys, there is a risk of renal failure caused by arteriosclerosis. Furthermore, consequences of arteriosclerosis in the eyes and intestines are conceivable.
↳ Further information: Home remedies for cholesterol
treatment and therapy
Since arteriosclerosis cannot be cured, measures must be taken to prevent the disease. If arteriosclerosis is diagnosed, appropriate therapy can delay the progression of the disease. A healthy and active lifestyle and avoiding risk factors (smoking, lack of exercise, obesity, alcohol) can significantly reduce the risk of arteriosclerosis.
You should change your diet immediately and leave all ready meals in the supermarket. It is important to strive for a balanced diet that mainly contains proteins and carbohydrates in the form of fruit and vegetables. Fat should only come from sources such as the oil in which you fry meat that is as fat-free as possible.
With appropriate medication, blood pressure (ACE inhibitors) and cholesterol levels (CSE inhibitors, statins) can be lowered in the long term. Anticoagulants ( acetylsalicylic acid ) can be administered to prevent vessels from being blocked by coagulated blood clots ( blood clots ) in the narrowed vessels .
In severe cases, surgical interventions are often the last resort. This includes removing the vascular blockage using a balloon catheter, which is pushed through the blocked vessel. In addition, a heart bypass, dilatation by means of a stent or a thromboendarterectomy may become necessary.
prevention
A healthy lifestyle almost completely eliminates the risk of arteriosclerosis. You should pay attention to a healthy diet, but also to exercise. Walks, which should last at least 20 minutes, are enough if you don’t do any other sport.It is also important to avoid risk factors that can make arteriosclerosis more likely. These include , for example , severe obesity , nicotine consumption and negative stress .
Being slightly overweight is now even considered to prolong life, but all other factors are best avoided altogether. If you have diseases such as chronic high blood pressure, these must not go untreated, as they can also lead to arteriosclerosis.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.