Atherosclerosis is a chronic, progressive vascular disease in which fatty material accumulates on the walls of the blood vessels, causing them to become narrowed or completely blocked. Also known as hardening of the arteries, atherosclerosis is one of the most common cardiovascular diseases and so prevalent, that many believe it is an inevitable consequence of aging. Medical evidence has recently shown that atherosclerosis is closely linked to diet and lifestyle choices, such as smoking. This evidence suggests that it can be prevented or slowed by making changes in lifestyle and diet. Scar tissue and calcification may also accompany the formation of fatty deposits, making the vessel walls less elastic and less flexible. This leads to impaired blood flow and increased blood pressure. Eventually an artery may be completely blocked by thick plaques or blood clots may form at the site of plaque and further obstructs the vessel.
Risk Factors for the Development of Atherosclerosis Although the precise cause of atherosclerosis is not known, it occurs much more often in people with one or more of the risk factors listed below. All of the items mentioned, except family history, are areas where you have some control. By maintaining a healthy weight and diet, exercising regularly, controlling your blood pressure and not smoking you greatly reduce your risk of developing atherosclerosis. Regular medical check-ups are very helpful in monitoring your overall vascular health.
- Cigarette smoking
- High blood pressure
- High fat diet
- High levels of blood cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Inactivity, lack of regular exercise
- Family history
Signs and Symptoms of Atherosclerosis in Peripheral Vascular Disease When oxygen is restricted to the organs and muscles in the body, they become starved and usually send out warnings by producing pain or other symptoms in the affected area. However, early stages of atherosclerosis may have no symptoms what so ever. In general, the following examples are commonly occurring symptoms of advanced atherosclerosis:
- Legs --If the blockage occurs in the legs, the resulting symptom is a cramping sensation in the hips, thighs, or calf muscles. This can result in severely limiting the amount and distance a person walks. There is sometimes coldness, paleness, or even decreased hair on the legs while others complain of dry skin, numbness, or tingling sensations in their affected part. Small cuts and scrapes that take a long time to heal, ulcers, or even gangrene regardless of whether painful or not, are severe signs of atherosclerosis.
- Carotids -When the peripheral vascular disease is in the carotid arteries one may experience a sudden temporary weakness or numbness in the face, arms, or leg on one side of the body or unexplained dizziness, trouble speaking or understanding, decreased vision and or unsteadiness. A transient ischemic attack (TIA)or cerebrovascular accident (stroke) may indicate disease.
- Renal Arteries -When there are symptoms of vascular disease in the renal arteries there may be no pain, only consistently elevated blood pressure that is difficult or impossible for your doctor to control as well as abnormal kidney function blood tests.
Diagnosis of Atherosclerosis
- History of signs and symptoms
- Physical examination
- Ultrasound assessment of the blood vessels
- Blood flow measurements
- Angiogram of arteries
Treatment for Atherosclerosis
- Lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, stopping smoking
- Maintaining control of diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol levels
- Balloon Angioplasty, sometimes with stent placement
- Surgical bypass
- Surgical removal of plaque
|
