Atherosclerosis Definition Treatment Causes Prevention Risk Factors

What is Atherosclerosis? Atherosclerosis Definition:-

Atherosclerosis called Coronary heart disease is a disease of the arteries. It causes it to 'harden' affecting both medium and large arteries.

It is the main cause of heart attacks and strokes.

Atherosclerosis starts when the lining of the artery (the endothelium) is damaged or irritated in some way. Fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium and other substances then start to accumulate around the site of injury / irritation, which in turn causes a thickening of the artery wall.

This in turn leads to deposition of plague (a fatty substance). Thickening of the wall of a larger artery is called atheroma.

Atherosclerosis Causes :- There are so many Atherosclerosis Risk Factors like, High content of cholesterol in the blood. High content of blood fat and especially saturated fat. Inflammation in the blood vessels. A sign of such inflammation is the presence of a substance called c-reactive protein.

High amount of oxidation agents in the blood,High blood pressure, Diabetes,High age,Smoking,Men have a somewhat higher chance of getting this condition than women,High content of the amino acid homocystein in the blood serum.

High content of low density lipoprotein (LDL) in the blood serum, and low content of high density lipoprotein (HDL) in the blood. Lipoprotein is a combination of a protein molecule and fat or cholesterol. Lipoproteins carry cholesterol or fat from place to place. Atherosclerosis Symptoms:- (1) Decreased performance, easy to tire out.

(2) Pain by physical activity, so called anoxic pain.

(3) By severe impairment of blood flow, tissue damage or sores can occur. When the heart is affected, the symptoms will be:

(1) General bad condition.

(2) Anoxic pain from the heart and surroundings by physical activity, called angina pectoris.

(3) Feeling of not getting enough air, or breathing problems.

Atherosclerosis Prevention:- Eating just a little or moderate amount of fat and sugar. The fat eaten should be a blending of different types of unsaturated fat from sources like: Olive oil, rape oil, sunflower oil, soy oil, walnut oil and fish.

Then you will get enough of mono-unsaturated fat, omega-3-unsaturated fat, and omega-6-poly-unsaturated fat, but not too much of any of them. Eating much fish,just a little red meat and good amount of fruit and vegetables each day.

Supply of enough vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants. Only consuming moderate amount of salt. Getting high blood pressure treated if lifestyle measures do not bring blood pressure down. Stressing down and getting enough rest.