Atherosclerosis - Care Guide
Coronary heart disease is defined as narrowed passageways or blockages in the arteries and blood vessels that are vital in providing nutrients and oxygen to the heart. Atherosclerosis causes coronary heart disease. Atherosclerosis is the accumulation of fatty deposits on the walls of the arteries and it is one of the common diseases of the blood vessels. The fatty deposits harden and thicken over time to form calcium deposits that may later on form a blockage in the arteries.
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Atherosclerosis is a form of degeneration of the walls of the blood vessels. A lot of people have this coronary heart disease or are in the process of developing it. The good news here is that it can now be managed and in most cases, stopped. Atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease are more common in men than in women, most especially those in the younger age bracket.
Atherosclerosis symptoms can become worse as time goes by. The weakening of the heart muscles can occur without any visible symptoms. This will later on lead to heart failure. Heart failure does not mean that the heart suddenly stops functioning but rather fails to supply sufficient blood to the rest of the body. Coronary heart disease can also later on result to arrhythmias or the abnormal rhythm of the heartbeat. All these can prove to be fatal.
It is said that almost 40% of men who are over 40 years of age have a blockage in their coronary arteries, which can lead to a heart attack anytime.
Atherosclerosis and Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors
Atherosclerosis causes coronary heart disease. There are risk factors for coronary heart disease such has genetic risk that cannot be changed.
LDL or more popularly known as the bad cholesterol increases when saturated fatty acids are ingested. Elevated levels of LDL correspondingly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. It is also involved in carrying excess cholesterol in the blood stream and depositing them in the artery walls. These deposits build up to form plaque that causes atherosclerosis. Saturated fatty acids also cause the production of blood clots because they are converted to a stickier substance thus increasing the inclination to clot.
Atherosclerosis and Coronary Heart Disease Causes
Age is one of the primary risk factors of coronary heart disease, which may lead to death. More than 83% of those who die of coronary heart disease belong to the over 65 age bracket. The other risk factors can be managed by a healthy diet and by making certain lifestyle changes.
- Smoking- is one of the causes of atherosclerosis. Smokers have an increased risk factor of 2 to 4 times that of a non-smoker of developing coronary heart disease and heart attack.
- Gender- men are more inclined to get atherosclerosis at an earlier age compared to women. Atherosclerosis is also common in men at age 45 while women are predisposed to the disease once they hit 55.
- Genetics- those with a family history of heart disease tend to be predisposed to atherosclerosis and a higher risk to coronary heart disease.
- Cholesterol levels- cholesterol and saturated fats are contributors to the development of atherosclerosis. A person’s sex, age, and heredity can affect cholesterol production in the body. Elevated levels of LDL and cholesterol increase the risk of atherosclerosis, especially if it is combined with drinking alcohol and high blood pressure.
- Alcohol- too much alcohol may cause conditions already stated above and later on lead to heart failure.
- Stress- may be contributory to the risk of coronary heart disease moreover, it is also the way people react to stress that aggravates the risk factors stated earlier.
- Weight- over weight and lack of exercise can contribute to the risk of developing atherosclerosis. Being overweight causes the heart to work harder than usual.
- Other Diseases- there are many diseases that can contribute to the risk of atherosclerosis. Elevated blood pressure causes the heart to work harder, weakening over time. Diabetes can cause atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. About 75% of diabetics die of heart disease or blood vessel disease.
Diagnosing Coronary Heart Disease
A doctor would normally ask about medical history, symptoms, family members with heart disease, lifestyle and diet. Blood tests and a physical exam may be required as part of the evaluation. A number of examinations can also be conducted to evaluate coronary heart disease. These exams could include the following:
- Computed tomography (CT) scan ACT is cross sectional X ray of a specific organ or the whole body. It can show images of arteries to find signs of atherosclerosis.
- Ambulatory electocardiography or Holter monitoring, checks on inadequate blood flow to the heart by wearing a portable EKG unit for 24 hours as the person goes through his or her daily routine
- Resting electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) is able to record electrical signals that travel through the heart and is usually conducted in the doctor’s office. This is a non-invasive procedure and involves just placing electrodes on the patient’s body.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is also a non-invasive procedure that is used to check the heart tissues. It does not use radiation. The magnetic resonance angiography is an alternative to the use of the invasive catheter that is inserted in the body.
- Exercise stress test is a test that makes use of the EKG reading while the patient is walking or running on the treadmill or pedaling a stationary bicycle. It is used to evaluate people who feel certain symptoms when exercising. A nuclear stress test is use for this purpose too. During the examination, the patient does the exercises and blood flow at rest and during the exercise is measured through the small amount of radioactive material injected in the bloodstream. A special camera shows parts of the heart that are inclined to receive less blood supply than normal.
- Angiogram is an X-ray of the heart taken by inserting a catheter or small tube into the arteries via a blood vessel in the arm or groin area. The end of the catheter is guided through coronary arteries and then released with contrast. The contrast is seen on the X-ray and will help evaluate the blood flow to the chambers of the heart. Angiograms today are done using contrast and imaging wherein tomography is computed or magnetic resonance imaging is used.
- Other imaging methods are used to detect coronary heart disease. The single photon emission computed tomography or SPECT is also used.
People with more than one risk factor for developing heart disease should definitely have their cholesterol examined. Those with kidney disease, diabetes, vascular disease, high blood pressure and a history of high levels of cholesterol should see their physician.
Atherosclerosis Treatment
Atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease treatments vary from lifestyle changes to the use of medicines to surgery. Those people who have less severe disease and with less risk factors may control their atherosclerosis or coronary heart disease by making a conscious effort to change their lifestyle, take natural cholesterol lowering supplements and medications. A proper diet that is designed to change the chemistry of the body and improve the quality of foods ingested can potentially reverse degenerative effects in the blood vessels and heart. Lifestyle changes should include more exercise and kicking the smoking habit. These will allow you to manage atherosclerosis and work towards a healthier heart.
A healthy diet combined with regular exercise and avoiding smoking can help manage heart disease and lead to a good heart health. Be it cholesterol drugs, medical procedures, natural supplements, lifestyle changes or a diet - weigh the risks and benefits before you make a decision.
A diet addressing heart health should be one of the top options to consider in order to prevent atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. Follow the links to learn more about Low Cholesterol Foods to include and High Cholesterol Foods to avoid in your diet. You can also read about Cholesterol Lowering Supplements that Work and Cholesterol Lifestyle Suggestions that can make all the difference.
Hypercet Cholesterol Formula - It is cholesterol lowering supplement specially formulated to help the body maintain healthy levels of LDL and HDL. It also acts as a general heart tonic and aids in the body’s elimination of free radicals.
Atherosclerosis Prognosis
Atherosclerosis can be successfully controlled and treated most of the time. Advances in medicine and technologies such as stenting have helped many people suffering from the disease. Coronary heart disease is a serious condition and the best way is to prevent it through vigilant management and care once diagnosed. The more risk factors one has, the worse the prognosis may be.
Coronary Heart Disease Prevention
Understanding the risk factors and taking the necessary action against those factors are important steps in the prevention of atherosclerosis. Being able to control and manage the contributing factors can go a long way in preventing atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease from getting worse. Quitting the smoking habit, managing blood pressure, preventing diabetes, limiting alcohol intake and keeping cholesterol at acceptable levels are some of the things that can be done to prevent the risk of coronary heart disease. Keeping weight at a healthy level and eating the proper diet combined with exercise can also help prevent atherosclerosis. Those with a family history or other risk factors for coronary heart disease should consult a doctor and have regular examinations. They should be aware of signs and symptoms of heart attack and coronary heart disease.
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