Arteriosclerosis
occurs when the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from the heart to
the rest of the body (arteries) become thick and stiff—sometimes restricting
blood flow to organs and tissues. Healthy arteries are flexible and elastic,
but over time, the walls in the arteries can harden, a condition commonly
called hardening of the arteries.
occurs when the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from the heart to
the rest of the body (arteries) become thick and stiff—sometimes restricting
blood flow to organs and tissues. Healthy arteries are flexible and elastic,
but over time, the walls in the arteries can harden, a condition commonly
called hardening of the arteries.
Atherosclerosis
refers to the buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on the
artery walls, which can restrict blood flow. These plaques can burst,
triggering a blood clot. Although atherosclerosis is often considered a heart
problem, it can affect arteries anywhere in the body.
refers to the buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on the
artery walls, which can restrict blood flow. These plaques can burst,
triggering a blood clot. Although atherosclerosis is often considered a heart
problem, it can affect arteries anywhere in the body.
Signs and symptoms of
atherosclerosis
atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis develops gradually. Mild
atherosclerosis usually does not have any sign or symptom. People usually would
not have atherosclerosis symptoms until an artery is so narrowed or clogged
that it cannot supply adequate blood to the organs and tissues. Sometimes a
blood clot completely blocks blood flow, or even breaks apart and can trigger a
heart attack or stroke.
atherosclerosis usually does not have any sign or symptom. People usually would
not have atherosclerosis symptoms until an artery is so narrowed or clogged
that it cannot supply adequate blood to the organs and tissues. Sometimes a
blood clot completely blocks blood flow, or even breaks apart and can trigger a
heart attack or stroke.
Signs and symptoms of moderate to severe
atherosclerosis depend on which arteries are affected. For example:
atherosclerosis depend on which arteries are affected. For example:
·
If atherosclerosis occurs
in the heart arteries, signs and symptoms include chest pain or pressure.
If atherosclerosis occurs
in the heart arteries, signs and symptoms include chest pain or pressure.
·
If atherosclerosis occurs
in the arteries leading to your brain, signs and symptoms include sudden
numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, difficulty speaking or slurred speech
or temporary loss of vision in one eye.
If atherosclerosis occurs
in the arteries leading to your brain, signs and symptoms include sudden
numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, difficulty speaking or slurred speech
or temporary loss of vision in one eye.
·
If atherosclerosis occurs
in the arteries in the arms and legs, signs and symptoms include
peripheral artery disease, such as leg pain when walking.
If atherosclerosis occurs
in the arteries in the arms and legs, signs and symptoms include
peripheral artery disease, such as leg pain when walking.
·
If atherosclerosis occurs
in the arteries leading to your kidneys, signs and symptoms include high
blood pressure or kidney failure.
If atherosclerosis occurs
in the arteries leading to your kidneys, signs and symptoms include high
blood pressure or kidney failure.
Causes of atherosclerosis
Although the exact cause of atherosclerosis is
unknown, atherosclerosis may start with damage or injury to the inner layer of
an artery. The damage may be caused by:
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 - Smoking
and other sources of tobacco - Insulin
resistance, obesity or diabetes - Inflammation
from diseases, such as arthritis, infections, or inflammation of unknown
cause
Once the inner wall of an artery is damaged, blood
cells and other substances often clump at the injury site and build up in the
inner lining of the artery. Over time, fatty deposits made of cholesterol and
other cellular products also build up at the injury site and harden, narrowing the
arteries. The organs and tissues connected to the blocked arteries then do not
receive enough blood to function properly. Eventually, pieces of the fatty
deposits may break off and enter the bloodstream.
cells and other substances often clump at the injury site and build up in the
inner lining of the artery. Over time, fatty deposits made of cholesterol and
other cellular products also build up at the injury site and harden, narrowing the
arteries. The organs and tissues connected to the blocked arteries then do not
receive enough blood to function properly. Eventually, pieces of the fatty
deposits may break off and enter the bloodstream.
In addition, the smooth lining of a plaque may
rupture, spilling cholesterol and other substances into the bloodstream. This
may cause a blood clot, which can block the blood flow to a specific part of the
body leading to blocked blood flow to the heart which causes a heart attack.
rupture, spilling cholesterol and other substances into the bloodstream. This
may cause a blood clot, which can block the blood flow to a specific part of the
body leading to blocked blood flow to the heart which causes a heart attack.
The role
of the family in the control of atherosclerosis
of the family in the control of atherosclerosis
Family can help in the control of atherosclerosis
by encouraging family members to make lifestyle changes which can help to prevent
or slow the progression of atherosclerosis.
by encouraging family members to make lifestyle changes which can help to prevent
or slow the progression of atherosclerosis.
·
Avoid smoking: Smoking is known to damages the arteries.
Avoid smoking: Smoking is known to damages the arteries.
· Exercise: Regular
exercise can condition the muscles to use oxygen more efficiently. This helps
to improve circulation and promote development of new blood vessels that form a
natural bypass around obstructions.
exercise can condition the muscles to use oxygen more efficiently. This helps
to improve circulation and promote development of new blood vessels that form a
natural bypass around obstructions.
· Eating
healthy foods: A heart-healthy diet based on fruits, vegetables
and whole grains can help you control weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and
blood sugar.
healthy foods: A heart-healthy diet based on fruits, vegetables
and whole grains can help you control weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and
blood sugar.
· Maintaining
a healthy weight: For people
who are overweight, losing a few pounds can help reduce risk of high blood
pressure and high cholesterol which are two of the major risk factors for
developing atherosclerosis.
a healthy weight: For people
who are overweight, losing a few pounds can help reduce risk of high blood
pressure and high cholesterol which are two of the major risk factors for
developing atherosclerosis.
· Managing
stress: Reducing stress as much as possible. Practice
healthy techniques for managing stress, such as muscle relaxation and deep
breathing.
stress: Reducing stress as much as possible. Practice
healthy techniques for managing stress, such as muscle relaxation and deep
breathing.
The role of the community in the
control of atherosclerosis
control of atherosclerosis
Community members especially the leaders should
encouraged people in their community to maintain a healthy lifestyle such as quitting
smoking, eating healthy foods, exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy
weight.
encouraged people in their community to maintain a healthy lifestyle such as quitting
smoking, eating healthy foods, exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy
weight.
The role
of government in the control of atherosclerosis
of government in the control of atherosclerosis
Government should create awareness and
enlightenment campaigns to educate the general public through the mass media,
non-governmental organization, religious leaders and community leaders on the
dangers of atherosclerosis and measure to prevent/control it.
enlightenment campaigns to educate the general public through the mass media,
non-governmental organization, religious leaders and community leaders on the
dangers of atherosclerosis and measure to prevent/control it.
