Arteriosclerosis is a common form of cardiovascular disease that affects the arteries, the blood vessels that leave the heart. According to the American Heart Association, more than 864,000 people died in 2005 of cardiovascular disease, with arteriosclerosis the main offender. Atherosclerosis is a well-known type of arteriosclerosis that can lead to angina, heart attacks and stroke. But medical science has come up with a number of effective ways to deal with all forms of arteriosclerosis.
Arteriosclerosis vs. Atherosclerosis
Arteriosclerosis is a medical condition in which arteries become stiff and lose their elasticity. Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood and nutrients away from the heart to the tissues. By nature, arteries incorporate a degree of elasticity in their walls to help circulate the blood. As the heart squeezes blood out of the left ventricle, the pressure of the blood exerts a moderate amount of pressure against the inside walls of the arteries. When the arteries relax, they help to continue squeezing the blood to the rest of the body. This is called blood pressure. As we age, the arterial walls begin to lose their elasticity and can become blocked by calcified cholesterol and plaque. The process, called atherosclerosis, frequently occurs in the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart. Atherosclerosis can also occur in other arteries--in particular, the arteries that supply blood to the head (causing a stroke) and the lower extremities, causing claudication or peripheral artery disease or PAD.
Causes of Arteriosclerosis
Arteriosclerosis is part of the normal aging process. However, individuals who eat heart-healthy diets and remain physically active throughout their lives tend to have lower incidences of the disease. The type of arteriosclerosis called atherosclerosis is typically caused by eating too much saturated fat, trans fats and cholesterol. Over time, the inside walls of the arteries become occluded, reducing blood flow to the body. Eventually, arteries can completely close, preventing the circulation of blood. A good example is in the heart. When the coronary arteries become clogged with plaque, a heart attack can ensue. Other causes of arteriosclerosis include high blood pressure, unmanaged diabetes and cigarette smoking.
Symptoms
The human body is an amazingly resilient organism that can continue to operate even under the worst conditions--especially in cardiovascular disease. One of the first symptoms of arteriosclerosis is pain due to poor blood circulation. If the coronary arteries are affected, the sufferer feels crushing pain in the chest, pain running down the left arm, jaw pain and a number of other symptoms that are often mistaken for a toothache, back pain or indigestion. Often times, there are no symptoms until the blood supply is completely lost, resulting in a heart attack. During a stroke, the afflicted may feel dizzy, nauseous and may ultimately lose consciousness and temporary or permanent use of parts of his body. Claudication and peripheral artery disease involve lost circulation to the lower extremities. When this happens, there is pain and cramping in the extremities, preventing the affected from walking and performing normal activities of daily living.
First-Level Treatments
There are a number of effective treatments available to people who suffer from arteriosclerosis. Depending on the severity of their disease, it may be as easy as switching to a heart-healthy diet and getting more exercise. A heart-healthy diet is made up of fruits and vegetables, lean meats and low-fat dairy products with an emphasis on limiting saturated fat, trans fats and cholesterol. Daily exercise can also help to lower the risk for continued arteriosclerosis, and in some cases can actually reverse the trend. When diet and exercise are not enough, anticoagulant and anti-platelet medications are often prescribed to lower the risk of blood clotting.
Surgical Options
If diet, exercise and medications fail to alleviate the symptoms of arteriosclerosis, surgery may be indicated. The first approach is often angioplasty. During angioplasty, , a narrow tube is pushed through the artery and a balloon is inflated in an effort to clear the occluded area. Often times, a stent made from wire mesh is inserted to prevent the artery from collapsing. If angioplasty fails to clear the occlusion, then bypass surgery may be indicated. A portion of the patient's vein is harvested from either her leg or chest and is attached to their arteries, to bypass the occluded area and restore circulation.
