Atherosclerosis And Diet Management

Arteriosclerosis/Atherosclerosis

Arteriosclerosis occurs when the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from your heart to the rest of your body (arteries) become thick and stiff — sometimes restricting blood flow to your organs and tissues. Healthy arteries are flexible and elastic, but over time, the walls in your arteries can harden, a condition commonly called hardening of the arteries.

Atherosclerosis is a specific type of arteriosclerosis, but the terms are sometimes used interchangeably. Atherosclerosis refers to the buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on your artery walls (plaque), which can restrict blood flow.

The plaque can burst, triggering a blood clot. Although atherosclerosis is often considered a heart problem, it can affect arteries anywhere in your body. Atherosclerosis may be preventable and is treatable.

Causes

Atherosclerosis is a slow, progressive disease that may begin as early as childhood. Although the exact cause is unknown, atherosclerosis may start with damage or injury to the inner layer of an artery. The damage may be caused by:

·         High blood pressure

·         High cholesterol

·         High triglycerides, a type of fat (lipid) in your blood

·         Smoking and other sources of tobacco

·         Insulin resistance, obesity or diabetes

·         Inflammation from diseases, such as arthritis, lupus or infections, or inflammation of unknown cause

Once the inner wall of an artery is damaged, blood cells and other substances often clump at the injury site and build up in the inner lining of the artery.

Over time, fatty deposits (plaque) made of cholesterol and other cellular products also build up at the injury site and harden, narrowing your arteries. The organs and tissues connected to the blocked arteries then don't receive enough blood to function properly. Eventually, pieces of the fatty deposits may break off and enter your bloodstream.

Also Read: Ischemic Heart Disease And Diet Management

Signs and Symptoms

Even as artery walls gradually thicken and stiffen, there usually are no arteriosclerosis symptoms. Even as the condition worsens into atherosclerosis, mild cases may still show no symptoms. That’s why regular checkups are important. As arteriosclerosis progresses, clogged arteries can trigger a heart attack or stroke, with the following symptoms:

·         Chest pain or pressure (angina)

·         Sudden arm or leg weakness or numbness

·         Slurred speech or difficulty speaking

·         Brief loss of vision in one eye

·         Drooping facial muscles

·         Pain when walking

·         High blood pressure

·         Kidney failure

If you experience any of these symptoms, see your physician right away.

Diagnosis

During a physical exam, your doctor may find signs of narrowed, enlarged or hardened arteries, including:

·         A weak or absent pulse below the narrowed area of your artery

·         Decreased blood pressure in an affected limb

·         Whooshing sounds (bruits) over your arteries, heard using a stethoscope

Depending on the results of the physical exam, your doctor may suggest one or more diagnostic tests, including:

·         Blood tests. Lab tests can detect increased levels of cholesterol and blood sugar that may increase the risk of atherosclerosis. You'll need to go without eating or drinking anything but water for nine to 12 hours before your blood test.

Your doctor should tell you ahead of time if this test will be performed during your visit.

·         Doppler ultrasound. Your doctor may use a special ultrasound device (Doppler ultrasound) to measure your blood pressure at various points along your arm or leg. These measurements can help your doctor gauge the degree of any blockages, as well as the speed of blood flow in your arteries.

·         Ankle-brachial index. This test can tell if you have atherosclerosis in the arteries in your legs and feet.

Your doctor may compare the blood pressure in your ankle with the blood pressure in your arm. This is known as the ankle-brachial index. An abnormal difference may indicate peripheral vascular disease, which is usually caused by atherosclerosis.

·         Electrocardiogram (ECG). An electrocardiogram records electrical signals as they travel through your heart. An ECG can often reveal evidence of a previous heart attack. If your signs and symptoms occur most often during exercise, your doctor may ask you to walk on a treadmill or ride a stationary bike during an ECG.

·         Stress test. A stress test, also called an exercise stress test, is used to gather information about how well your heart works during physical activity.

Because exercise makes your heart pump harder and faster than it does during most daily activities, an exercise stress test can reveal problems within your heart that might not be noticeable otherwise.

An exercise stress test usually involves walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike while your heart rhythm, blood pressure and breathing are monitored.

In some types of stress tests, pictures will be taken of your heart, such as during a stress echocardiogram (ultrasound) or nuclear stress test. If you're unable to exercise, you may receive a medication that mimics the effect of exercise on your heart.

·         Cardiac catheterization and angiogram. This test can show if your coronary arteries are narrowed or blocked.

A liquid dye is injected into the arteries of your heart through a long, thin tube (catheter) that's fed through an artery, usually in your leg, to the arteries in your heart. As the dye fills your arteries, the arteries become visible on X-ray, revealing areas of blockage.

·         Other imaging tests. Your doctor may use ultrasound, a computerized tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) to study your arteries. These tests can often show hardening and narrowing of large arteries, as well as aneurysms and calcium deposits in the artery walls.

Diet Indication

One of the best ways to avoid heart disease and atherosclerosis is by altering your diet in a sustainable way. these all provide a stronger heart and reduce the build-up of plaque and cholesterol in your arteries, they include;

1.      Fresh fruit has fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals all necessary for keeping your body healthy, and out of the cookie jar. Antioxidants are also effective for preventing further damage to your circulatory system.

2.      Black bean’s fiber is good for lowering cholesterol.

3.      Mackerel is a fish filled with Omega 3’s which lowers LDL, reduces blood pressure and maintains blood vessel elasticity. Fish is also a good source of Vitamin D which is associated with better blood pressure lower rates of heart disease.

4.      Spinach reduces certain enzymes implicated in heart disease and is filled with fiber and vitamins.

5.      Avocados’ potassium regulates blood pressure and heart rhythm, while monosaturated fats lower bad cholesterol.

6.      Nuts are also filled with monosaturated fats as well as minerals, and selenium which is associated with a 15 to 57 percent less risk of heart disease.

7.      Flax meal is full of fiber, omega 3’s, and Vitamin E which improves circulation.

8.      Green tea lowers cholesterol and lipid levels and reduces the chances of fats being deposited in our arteries.

9.      Sunflower seeds are high in vitamin E and phytosterols which are known for protecting against high cholesterol, as well as containing healthy fats which lower overall cholesterol.

10.  Garlic reduces cholesterol and hypertension which can cause stress on your circulatory system.

11.  Capsicum a compound in cayenne peppers might regulate inflammation, and control blood cholesterol levels.

12.  Lentils are another legume which can cut down on bad cholesterol. A meta-analysis that looked at 26 studies of more than 1000 people found that lentils reduced LDL by 5 percent, reducing chances of heart disease.

        Also Read: Coronary Heart Disease And Diet Management

Prognosis

If arteriosclerosis is not diagnosed and treated, it could develop into atherosclerosis and cause serious health problems, including: Coronary artery disease: Narrowed arteries near the heart may lead to chest pain, heart attack or heart failure.

This buildup may occur in any artery in your body and can result in a shortage of blood and oxygen in various tissues of your body. Pieces of plaque can also break off, causing a blood clot. Atherosclerosis can lead to heart attack, stroke, or heart failure if left untreated.

Prevention

The same healthy lifestyle changes recommended to treat atherosclerosis also help prevent it. These include:

·         Quitting smoking

·         Eating healthy foods

·         Exercising regularly

·         Maintaining a healthy weight

Just remember to make changes one step at a time, and keep in mind what lifestyle changes are manageable for you in the long run.