Affected by hardening of the arteries crossword
Atherosclerosis refers to a condition that affects the arteries. These arteries are responsible for transporting oxygen-rich blood from the heart to your body. Atherosclerosis is caused by the accumulation of fats, cholesterol, or other substances on the walls of the arteries. Plaque is a form of plaque that can limit blood flow.
A reduced blood flow through your arteries can mean less oxygen to organs and tissues throughout the body. This impacts their ability to function properly. A blood clot can also occur when plaque builds up in the arteries.
Plaque build-up in the arteries can happen anywhere in the body and cause many other health problems, including heart attack or stroke. Coronary disease, peripheral arterial disease, and chronic kidney disease.
Causes
Atherosclerosis can be a progressive disease that starts in childhood. It affects different people at different times. Although the cause of plaque buildup is unknown, research suggests it is caused by plaque.
Diagnosis and Symptoms
Atherosclerosis is a gradual disease that develops over time. Most patients won’t experience symptoms during the initial stages. Symptoms usually appear when your arteries narrow so that less blood reaches your tissues and organs.
The location of narrowed blood vessels will determine the severity of symptoms. You may experience chest pain, weakness or numbness in the arms or legs, slurred speaking, temporary loss in vision in one eye, leg pain while walking, high blood pressure or kidney disease.
You should see your doctor immediately if you have any symptoms that may be linked to atherosclerosis. Your doctor may order various diagnostic tests to check for signs, such as EKGs, blood tests, CT scans, stress tests, and echocardiograms. A brachial ankle index is also a test that measures blood pressure in the arm and ankle. This determines how healthy your blood vessels are.
Treatment
Like many heart conditions, atherosclerosis treatment may involve lifestyle changes, medication, and procedures.
Lifestyle changes that can be made to prevent or treat atherosclerosis include a heart-healthy diet and regular exercise. You should also quit smoking and lose weight. You may be prescribed any one of these medications:
- Cholesterol drugs that lower LDL cholesterol
- Anti-platelet medication to decrease the likelihood of platelets clumping together in the arteries to form an clot
- Beta-blockers are used to lower blood pressure and heart rate
- ACE inhibitors are used to lower blood pressure and decrease the chance of heart attack.
- To lower blood pressure, calcium channel blockers are used
- Water pills (diuretics) are used to lower blood pressure
- Other medications that can be used to manage contributing factors, symptoms, or conditions, such as diabetes or inflammation or leg pain
A medical procedure may be necessary in severe cases of atherosclerosis. A coronary angioplasty is a procedure to open narrowed blood vessels and place a stent to keep them opened, coronary bypass grafting to expand the blood vessels, or an endarterectomy, which removes plaque from the arteries.
