Atherosclerosis Alert!

By. Sheuli Kangsa Banik

(Ph.D. Research Scholar)

As per WHO report, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. CVD is the common term that is used for designating any abnormality in the heart and blood vessels. There are four types of CVD: Coronary Heart Disease, stroke and transient ischaemic attack, peripheral arterial disease, and aortic disease. One of the major causes of CVD is atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is defined as the narrowing down of arteries by the development of plague, the plague comprises of cholesterol, fatty substances, cellular waste products, calcium and fibrin. As a piece of plaque breaks off, it may block the arteries and lead to hindered blood flow to the heart, legs, brain, and kidneys.

Symptoms of atherosclerosis:

• Chest pain or angina

• Pain in your leg, arm, and anywhere else that has a blocked artery

• Cramping in the buttocks while walking

• Shortness of breath

• Fatigue

• Confusion, which occurs if the blockage affects circulation to your brain

• Loss of motor or sensory function on one side of the body, which occurs if the blockage affects circulation to your brain

• Muscle weakness in your legs from lack of circulation

Main causes of atherosclerosis

• Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol).

• Hypertension (high blood pressure).

• Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).

• Immune response and inflammation. 

• Smoking is a major cause.

Tests to diagnose atherosclerosis

• CT scan. 

• Echocardiogram (echo). 

• Electrocardiogram (EKG). 

• Exercise stress test. 

• Carotid ultrasound

• Abdominal ultrasound

• Chest X-ray

• Ankle/brachial index

• Angiography

Atherosclerosis treatment

Medications 

• cholesterol-lowering drugs, including statins

• angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, which may lower blood pressure

• beta-blockers, which “rest” the heart

• antiplatelet drugs such as aspirin to prevent blood from clotting and clogging your arteries

Surgery

• bypass surgery- involves using a vessel from somewhere else in your body or a synthetic tube to divert blood around your blocked or narrowed artery

• thrombolytic therapy- involves dissolving a blood clot by injecting a drug into your affected artery

• angioplasty and percutaneous coronary intervention- involves using a catheter and a balloon to expand your artery, sometimes inserting a stent to keep the artery open

• atherectomy- involves removing plaque from your arteries by using a catheter with a sharp blade at one end

• endarterectomy- involves surgically removing fatty deposits from your artery

Prevention of atherosclerosis

• Eat a healthy diet low in saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, sodium (salt) and sugar.

• Exercise regularly. 

• Keep a healthy weight.

• Manage any health conditions, especially diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

• Quit smoking.

• Have an annual checkup with your primary care provider.

• Healthy food choices.

• Easing symptoms that are bothering you.

• Slowing or stopping plaque buildup in your arteries.

• Helping your blood flow better by widening your arteries or bypassing blockages.