WHAT IS ATHEROSCLEROSIS?
Atherosclerosis is a condition of blood vessels that thickens or hardens the arteries in the body. It is a slow, progressive disorder that may start at any stage of life. The thickening of the arteries can be due to inflammation and plaque formation that restrict the blood flow and oxygen supply to the body organs and tissues. The plaques can be either hard or soft. Hard plaques are usually formed by calcium deposits, while the soft ones are due to fats, cholesterol, and fibrin deposits. These can lead to heart conditions like:
- Angina: reduced blood flow to the heart causes chest pain
- Kidney disorders
- Coronary heart diseases: plaque formation in the arteries leading the heart
- Carotid artery diseases: plaque in arteries leading to the brain
- Peripheral artery diseases:- plaque in arteries leading to various body organs
- Deep Vein Thrombosis: plaques causing the artery to burst to leading of blood clots within the vascular system
HOW IS ATHEROSCLEROSIS CAUSED?
The specific cause of atherosclerosis is unknown. Plaque formation is a slow process and can start during childhood as well. One of the major causes is damage to the inner lining of the arteries. The damage can be due to unhealthy lifestyle choices that lead to:
- high cholesterol and triglycerides
- hypertension or high blood pressure
- frequent smoking and alcohol consumption
- diabetes
- progressive obesity
The chances of the coronary arteries getting affected are high in such cases. These factors can boost plaque formation and affect the blood flow in the aorta (a major blood vessel of the heart).
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS?
The symptoms of atherosclerosis depend on the severity of the affected artery and the affected organs. The mild signs and symptoms maybe:
- chest pain
- neck pain
- breathing difficulties
- unable to do physical activities due to low oxygen supply
- tiredness, and so on.
If major arteries are blocked due to plaque, the signs and symptoms may be severe, like stroke, heart attack, or deep vein thrombosis.
WHAT ARE THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS FOR ATHEROSCLEROSIS?
The doctor will recommend a specific diagnostic test based on your signs and symptoms. Atherosclerosis can be diagnosed via blood tests, ECG (electrocardiogram), CT scan, Stress test, and other imaging techniques.
- ECG – several electrodes on the chest, arms, and leg region record the heart rhythm and the electrical conductivity. The result is produced in the form of a graph showcasing a wave pattern.
- CT scans – the X-ray and the advanced technology of intravenous contrast dyes can produce three-dimensional images of the internal chest condition and the major blood vessels.
- Angiography – if the person has a heart attack, the doctor will prescribe angiography that uses a catheter to record the real-time images and functioning of the heart and the coronary arteries.
- Ankle-Brachial Index – measures the blood flow in the limbs and detects blood clots (thrombosis)
HOW IS ATHEROSCLEROSIS TREATED?
Based on the test reports, the doctor will discuss the treatment plans. If the atherosclerosis is severe, immediate medical treatment is needed to remove the plaque deposits in the arteries.
- Medications
For those patients with mild plaques, medications are prescribed to reverse the effects.
- Statins, blood thinners, and blood pressure medicines are some that monitor and lower the bad cholesterol level and clot formation within the arteries.
- Nitroglycerin-based medications can dilate the arteries and maintain stable blood pressure.
- Beta-blockers block the additional or unnecessary chemical messengers that may work up your heart muscles
- Surgery
Severe plaques have to be treated with surgical procedures like:
- Angioplasty and stent placement – the diseased artery is detected, and a mesh-tube stent is placed with the help of a deflated balloon to widen the constricted artery and remove the plaques. This is usually done for coronary artery blockages.
- Bypass surgery – involves removing a healthy blood vessel from your body and creating a bypass for blood flow around the blocked artery.
Apart from surgery and medication, the doctor may also suggest changes in your lifestyle and diet to maintain healthy body weight, good sleep, and daily exercises. Old people can do breathing exercises, walking, and light yoga to maintain an active lifestyle. Avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol can work wonders for your body. Regular check-ups are vital to ensure that atherosclerosis does not recur.
Agilus Diagnostics, a subsidiary of Fortis Healthcare Limited
