Medical Centric

Atherosclerosis

Men's Health, Women's Health / By

Atherosclerosis

  • Atherosclerosis is a specific type of arteriosclerosis.
  • Atherosclerosis is the buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in and on your artery walls.
  • This buildup is called plaque.
  • The plaque can cause your arteries to narrow, blocking blood flow.
  • The plaque can also burst, leading to a blood clot.
  • Although atherosclerosis is often considered a heart problem, it can affect arteries anywhere in your body.

Symptoms

You might not have symptoms until your artery is nearly closed or until you have a heart attack or stroke.Signs can also depend on which artery is narrowed or blocked.

Symptoms related to your coronary arteries include:

  • Arrhythmia, an unusual heartbeat
  • Pain or pressure in your upper body, including your chest, arms, neck, or jaw, this is known as angina.
  • Shortness of breath

Symptoms related to the arteries that deliver blood to your brain include:

  • Numbness or weakness in your arms or legs
  • A hard time speaking or understanding someone who’s talking
  • Drooping facial muscles
  • Paralysis
  • Severe headache
  • Trouble seeing in one or both eyes

Symptoms related to the arteries of your arms, legs, and pelvis include:

  • Leg pain when walking
  • Numbness

Symptoms related to the arteries that deliver blood to your kidneys include:

  • High blood pressure
  • Kidney failure

Causes

  • Although the exact cause is unknown, atherosclerosis may start with damage or injury to the inner layer of an artery.
  • The damage may be caused by:
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • High triglycerides, a type of fat (lipid) in your blood
  • Smoking and other sources of tobacco
  • Insulin resistance, obesity, or diabetes
  • Inflammation from an unknown cause or from diseases such as arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, or inflammatory bowel disease.

Diagnosis

  • Your doctor will start with a physical exam.
  • They’ll listen to your arteries and check for weak or absent pulses.
  • You might need tests, including:
  • Blood tests
  • CT Scan
  • Angiogram
  • Chest X-Ray
  • EKG
  • Stress test
  • Ankle-brachial index

Treatment

  • Maintain a better lifestyle
  • Medication – drugs for high cholesterol and high blood pressure will slow and may even halt atherosclerosis.
  • They could also lower your risk of hearts attack and strokes.
  • Medications prescribed can be:
  • Blood thinners
  • Statins and other cholesterol medications
  • Blood pressure medications