Atherosclerosis is a chronic disease characterized by an inflammatory process that occurs due to the accumulation of fat plaques inside the blood vessels over the years, causing the blockage of blood flow and promoting it accordingly. Complications, such as the onset of a heart attack or stroke.
Fat plaques can build up in the arteries that irritate the kidneys and other vital organs, which could cause these organs to malfunction. These plaques are mainly composed of bad cholesterol (LDL), so it is important to keep cholesterol levels within the ideal range for life, thanks to a varied, balanced and low-fat diet, in addition, to practice regular physical activity.
- The development of atherosclerosis is related to the lifestyle of the individual.
- Especially bad eating habits.
- As there is a high consumption of fats and sugars and a sedentary lifestyle.
However, atherosclerosis can also develop in people who exercise and maintain a good diet, as they have the greatest genetic predisposition, so if the person has a family history of atherosclerosis, there is also the possibility of developing it.
There are factors that increase the risk of atherosclerosis, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity and aging. Men have the highest risk that women, including menopause, will increase the risk, claiming to be the same as men.
Atherosclerosis is a condition whose development is silent and occurs from scratch, so the signs and symptoms associated with atherosclerosis occur when blood flow is compromised, which may indicate ischemia in the affected organ.
Symptoms can vary depending on the affected artery, but the general embargo can produce the symptoms mentioned below:
These symptoms appear when the artery is completely blocked, altering the oxygen supply to the body’s organs and tissues, so as soon as symptoms indicative of atherosclerosis appear, it is important that the person goes to the hospital to make the diagnosis and start treatment, avoiding complications.
Diagnosis of atherosclerosis should be made by the cardiologist, using tests such as catheterization and cardiac angiotomography, in addition there are other tests that may suggest the presence of atherosclerosis, such as sphygmomania, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram and myocardial infusion study, which can identify the presence of coronary heart disease, which may be one of the causes of atherosclerosis.
Your doctor may also order laboratory tests to evaluate lipid profile, i. e. tests to evaluate HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, PCR, and apolipoprotein.
The main objective of the treatment of atherosclerosis is the restoration of blood flow, which can be achieved by removing fat plaques in the arteries, by surgery, angioplasty and / or the use of medications that should be used under the guidance of the cardiologist.
Medications your doctor may recommend are able to improve blood circulation and therefore oxygen content so that your heart can regulate heart barking and lower cholesterol It is important that treatment of atherosclerosis is done under medical supervision to prevent the development of complications. such as heart attack, stroke and kidney failure, for example.
Whatever the treatment recommended by the doctor, it is important to change your lifestyle, especially those related to the practice of physical activity and diet so that the amount of circulating cholesterol decreases and that the risk of developing atherosclerosis is of great importance to avoid . maximum dietary fat.