Atherosclerotic heart disease is a disorder of the blood vessels that supply oxygenated blood to the heart muscle. It is considered a form of cardiovascular disease which, along with other types of heart disease such as abnormal heart rhythms, makes heart disease the No. 1 killer of both men and women in the U.S.
Description
The term "atherosclerosis" refers to a build-up of plaque in the innermost layer of the walls of the arteries. The arteries also harden, becoming less flexible as a result. This build-up eventually causes the diameter of the artery to shrink which allows less blood to flow through. Less blood flow means less oxygen is available for the heart muscle. If the heart muscle is deprived of oxygen, cells begin to die and the heart is not able to work effectively to pump blood to the rest of the body.
Risk Factors
Age, gender and family history are non-modifiable risk factors for heart disease. Growing older increases the likelihood of arteries becoming damaged, males are slightly more prone to developing heart disease than females, and a family history of the disease increases an individual's risk. Obesity, smoking, poor diet and routine lack of physical activity are the major modifiable risk factors that contribute to atherosclerotic heart disease. Uncontrolled diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are diseases that aggravate the process of atherosclerosis.
Diagnostic Testing
In order to correctly diagnose atherosclerotic heart disease, a physician will perform a battery of tests. Blood pressure readings provide information on how much resistance is present in the blood vessels. Hardened and narrowed arteries will increase resistance and elevate blood pressure. A basic lab work-up identifies the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. Echocardiograms recognize areas of the heart that have low blood flow and regions of the heart muscle that are not contracting properly due to damage. An angiogram is performed with the injection of special dye into the bloodstream and then taking X-rays of the heart to focus on arteries that are severely narrowed or blocked by plaque build-up.
Complications
For some people, atherosclerotic heart disease is not diagnosed until symptoms begin to appear. A physician should be contacted immediately if someone experiences chest pain, pain or numbness in the jaw, arm or upper back, or shortness of breath. If left untreated, the disease could result in a heart attack, an aneurysm or a stroke.
Prevention and Treatment
A person with atherosclerotic heart disease should first focus on improving his modifiable risk factors. Limiting the amount of high fat and high calorie foods in the diet goes a long way toward improving heart health. The American Heart Association recommends moderate-to-vigorous aerobics for at a minimum of half an hour most days. It is vital that patients reach 50 to 85 percent of their maximum heart rate to benefit. This amount and type of exercise will also help keep obesity in check.
Quitting smoking is essential for people with atherosclerotic heart disease. Medications may be required to manage high blood pressure and high cholesterol if diet and exercise alone are ineffective. For more advanced atherosclerotic heart disease, surgery is warranted. An angioplasty is performed to re-open narrowed arteries and a stent is often placed to maintain the space. Coronary artery bypass grafts are achieved by using a donor vein, usually from the leg, to circumvent a complete blockage.
