Atherosclerosis

Arteries are the path in which the blood is delivered to the whole body, but in the case of atherosclerosis, that causes the blood to be obstructed from flowing, and that, in turn, causes problems and complications that might be severe in some cases.

Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a gradual buildup of some substances, such as cholesterol, fats, and others, inside the walls of the arteries, and this buildup is called plaque. Plaque buildup causes the arteries to be narrowed, which blocks the blood flow, and it might cause a blood clot with time.

Atherosclerosis is a very common condition, and its complications are one of the leading causes of death around the world.

Most often, atherosclerosis occurs in men after the age of 45 and in women after the age of 55.

Causes and risk factors leading to atherosclerosis

The exact cause of atherosclerosis is unknown, but it’s thought that it starts due to damage or injury in the interior lining of the artery.

Some factors that increase the risk of atherosclerosis:

• Family history.
• High cholesterol and triglycerides.
• Hypertension.
• Smoking.
• Diabetes.
• Following an unhealthy lifestyle.
• An inflammation or other conditions in the body, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and inflammatory bowel disease.
• Sleep apnea.

Symptoms of atherosclerosis

Usually in mild cases, there aren’t any symptoms, and the symptoms start emerging when the artery becomes extremely narrowed or blocked in a way that prevents the blood from reaching the organs. The symptoms also differ depending on the affected organ.

• In heart arteries: chest pain (angina), dyspnea, heart palpitations, and lightheadedness.
• In kidney arteries: high blood pressure, edema, and kidney failure.
• In brain arteries: weakness and numbness in the arms or legs, severe headache, slurred speech, sudden vision loss, and drooping in the face muscles.
• In arms and legs arteries: claudication, muscle pain, skin discolorations, and skin infections.
• In digestive arteries: abdominal pain after eating, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Complications of atherosclerosis

The complications differ depending on the affected organ; some of them are:

• Aneurysms.
• Coronary, carotid, and peripheral artery diseases.
• Heart attack.
• Abnormal heart rhythms.
• Heart failure.
• Stroke.
• Chronic kidney disease 



Diagnosis of atherosclerosis

• Physical examination.
• Medical history of the patient.
• Blood tests.
• Imaging tests.

Treatment of atherosclerosis

• Follow a healthy lifestyle and avoid smoking for prevention as well.
• Medications.
• Some surgical procedures.