Atherosclerosis comes from the Greek word - athere this means porridge and skleros meaning hardening. These words conjure images created in our minds of what happens when atherosclerosis develops in arteries. The plate that forms and blocks the arteries are made of atheroma. It is a mixture of cholesterol, fibrous tissue, dead muscle cells, platelets, and sometimes calcium. Over the years, it becomes larger plate and larger decrease in blood flow and oxygen to the tissues of the body. Atherosclerosis can affect arteries anywhere in the body, but most dangerous to life when it blocks the arteries to the heart or the arteries supplying blood and oxygen to the brain.
No artery in the body is safe from atherosclerosis and heart effects may cause heart disease, coronary vessels easily blocked
• the brain, causing stroke • leg, causing poor circulation (around vascular disease), resulting in possible necrosis • intestine, causing sections to die.
There are often no early symptoms of athersclerosis, is perhaps the first heart attack. It is important therefore that you are aware of the risk factors and make lifestyle changes where possible to minimize the risk of atherosclerosis and related conditions. Two categories of factors for atherosclerosis, the uncertain and people do not.
Factor can not be changed are:
Age - as it the older generating greater risk of heart disease
Ethnicity - Some ethnic groups are at higher risk of atherosclerosis, other
Genetic inheritance - The health of your cardiovascular system and atherosclerosis often runs in families
Gender - Men are more likely to suffer from atherosclerosis, because women make oestrogen, where it against the development of atheroma.
Risk, even after stop making women oestrogen
Diabetes - diabetics are at high risk, as atherosclerosis is associated with high levels of cholesterol. In diabetes, the fatty plaques develop rapidly, but with good levels of blood glucose level the risk is reduced. Another factor is equally important to control high blood pressure.
Factors that may change are:
Smoking - cigarette smoking promotes atheroma formation in arteries
High blood pressure - the risk of atherosclerosis increases in hypertension
High blood cholesterol - research shows that continuing high levels of cholesterol in the blood increase the risk of atherosclerosis
Obesity - Bad cardiovascular health in general and the risk of developing atherosclerosis is associated with obesity
Omission - regular physical activity will reduce the risk of atherosclerosis
Levels of cholesterol can clean very low food by fresh fruit, vegetables, high fiber foods and reduce fats found in whole-milk, cheese, eggs and red meat. A person with high cholesterol levels are likely to take drugs to lower cholesterol, and eating a low fat diet. Recent studies have shown that these drugs improve long-term development risk of heart disease.
A person is not too small to worry about atherosclerosis, it may begin even before you were born. It may also be present for years before causing any symptoms - so early to make changes, the better the results for future
