Description

Arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis is sometimes used to mean the same thing. But there is a difference between the two terms.

Arteriosclerosis occurs when the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from the heart to the rest of the body to become thick and stiff. These blood vessels called arteries. Healthy arteries are flexible and elastic. But with time, the walls of the arteries can harden, a condition commonly called hardening of the arteries.

Atherosclerosis is a specific type of arteriosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is the buildup of fat, cholesterol and other substances in the walls of the arteries. This buildup is called plaque. The plate can cause the arteries to become narrow, by blocking the flow of blood. The plate can also burst, which leads to a blood clot.

Although atherosclerosis is often considered as a heart condition, that can affect arteries in any part of the body. Atherosclerosis can be treated. Healthy lifestyle habits can help prevent atherosclerosis.

Symptoms

Mild atherosclerosis usually doesn't cause symptoms.

Atherosclerosis-symptoms usually don't happen until an artery is so narrowed or clogged that it can't send enough blood to the organs and tissues. Sometimes, a blood clot completely blocks the flow of blood. The clot can break. If this happens, it can cause a heart attack or a stroke.

The symptoms of moderate to severe atherosclerosis depend on which arteries are affected. For example, if you have atherosclerosis:

  • In the arteries of the heart, you can have chest pain or pressure, called angina.
  • In the arteries going to the brain, there may be numbness or weakness in the arms or in the legs, difficulty speaking, slurred speech, sudden or temporary loss of vision in one eye, or the fall of the muscles of the face. These are the symptoms of a transient ischemic attack (TIA). Without treatment, a TIA can cause a stroke.
  • In the arteries of the arms and legs, you may have pain in the legs when walking, called claudication. This is a symptom of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). You could also have a lower blood pressure in the arm or leg is affected.
  • In the arteries that carry blood to the kidneys, may have high blood pressure or kidney failure.

When to see a doctor

If you think you have atherosclerosis, make an appointment for a health checkup. The early diagnosis and treatment can stop the atherosclerosis worse. The treatment can help prevent a heart attack, stroke or other medical emergency.

Get emergency medical help if you have chest pain or symptoms of a transient ischemic attack or a stroke, such as:

  • Numbness or weakness in the arms or legs.
  • Difficulty speaking.
  • Difficulty in speech.
  • Sudden or temporary loss of vision in one eye.
  • The fall of the muscles of the face.

Causes

Atherosclerosis is a disease that slowly gets worse. You can start as early as childhood. The exact cause is not known. You can begin with damage or injury to the inner layer of the arteries. The artery damage can be caused by:

  • The high blood pressure.
  • High cholesterol.
  • High levels of triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood.
  • Smoking or other tobacco products.
  • Diabetes.
  • The insulin resistance.
  • Obesity.
  • The inflammation of unknown cause or diseases such as arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, or inflammatory bowel disease.

Once the inner wall of an artery is damaged, blood cells and other substances can accumulate in the site of the injury. These substances accumulate in the inner layer of the artery.

Over time, the fat, cholesterol, and other substances can also pick-up and on the walls of the arteries of the heart. This buildup is called plaque. The plate can cause the arteries to narrow. The narrowing of the arteries can block blood flow. The plate can also burst, which leads to a blood clot.

Risk factors

Risk factors for atherosclerosis that you can't control include:

  • Aging.
  • A family history of early heart disease or a stroke.
  • The changes in the genes that cause atherosclerosis more likely.
  • Have inflammatory conditions such as lupus, inflammatory bowel disease or psoriasis.

Risk factors for atherosclerosis that you may be able to control include:

  • An unhealthy diet.
  • Diabetes.
  • The high blood pressure.
  • High cholesterol.
  • The lack of exercise.
  • Obesity.
  • Sleep apnea.
  • Smoking and other tobacco use.

Complications

Complications of atherosclerosis depend on which arteries are narrowed or blocked. For example:

  • Disease of the coronary artery. Atherosclerosis in the arteries close to the heart can lead to coronary artery disease. This can cause chest pain, a heart attack or heart failure.
  • Disease of the carotid artery. This is the atherosclerosis in the arteries near the brain. Complications included a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or a stroke.
  • The peripheral arterial disease. This is the atherosclerosis in the arteries of the arms or legs. Complications include blocked or change the flow of blood in the affected areas. Rarely, the lack of blood flow can cause tissue death, called gangrene.
  • The aneurysms. Sometimes, atherosclerosis can form a bulge in the wall of an artery. This is called an aneurysm. An aneurysm can occur in any part of the body. The majority of people with aneurysms have no symptoms. If an aneurysm bursts, it can cause life-threatening bleeding in the inside of the body.
  • Chronic kidney disease. Atherosclerosis can cause the arteries that carry blood to the kidneys narrow. This prevents the kidneys from getting enough oxygen-rich blood. The kidneys need your blood flow to help remove fluid and waste products from the body.

Prevention

The same healthy lifestyle changes that are recommended for the treatment of atherosclerosis also help prevent it. These lifestyle changes can help keep your arteries healthy:

  • Do not smoke or use tobacco.
  • Eating nutritious food.
  • Exercise regularly and maintain an active lifestyle.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Control of blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol.

Diagnosis

For the diagnosis of atherosclerosis, your health care professional examines and listen to your heart. Normally, they will be asked about your symptoms and your family health history. You may be sent to a physician skilled in diseases of the heart, called a cardiologist.

Your health care provider may hear a "whooping" sound when listening to the heart with a stethoscope.

Tests

Tests may be done to check the health of your heart and arteries. Tests can help to diagnose atherosclerosis and find the cause.

  • Blood tests. Blood tests can check for blood sugar and cholesterol levels. High levels of blood sugar and cholesterol increase the risk of atherosclerosis. A C-reactive protein (CRP) test can also be done to check the level of a protein linked to inflammation of the arteries.
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). This quick and painless test that measures the electrical activity of the heart. During an ECG, adhesive patches with sensors attached to the chest and, at times, the arms or the legs. Connect the cables from the sensors to a machine, which displays or prints the results. An EKG can show if there is a decrease in blood flow to the heart.
  • The stress tests. These tests often involve walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike while the activity of the heart is seen. Because exercise makes your heart pump harder and faster than it does during the most of the daily activities, an exercise stress test can show the condition of the heart that might otherwise be lost. If you can't do the exercise, you can receive a drug that affects the heart as the exercise you do.
  • The echocardiogram. This test uses sound waves to show the flow of blood through the heart. It also shows the size and shape of the structures of the heart. Sometimes an echocardiogram is done during an exercise stress test.
  • The Doppler ultrasound. A health professional can make use of an ultrasound device to check the blood flow in different parts of your body. The results show that the speed of blood flow in the arteries. This can reveal any narrowed areas.
  • Ankle-brachial index (ABI). This test compares the blood pressure in the ankle to that in the arm. It is done to check the atherosclerosis in the arteries of the legs and feet. A difference between the ankle and the arm of measurements can be due to peripheral artery disease.
  • Cardiac catheterization and angiography. This test can show if any coronary arteries are narrowed or blocked. A doctor inserts a long, thin, flexible tube into a blood vessel, usually in the groin or the wrist, and the guide for the heart. Contrast dye flows through the catheter into the arteries in the heart. The dye helps the arteries are shown more clearly in the images taken during the test.
  • Coronary calcium scan, also called a heart scan. This test uses computed tomography (CT) imaging to look for calcium deposits in the walls of the arteries. A coronary calcium scan can show the coronary artery disease before you have symptoms. Results of the test are given as a score. The higher the calcium score, the greater the risk of heart attacks.
  • Other imaging tests. The magnetic resonance angiography (MRI) or positron emission tomography (PET) may also be used to study the arteries. These tests can show hardening and narrowing of large arteries, as well as aneurysms.

Treatment

The treatment of atherosclerosis may include:

  • Lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet and getting more exercise.
  • Drugs.
  • Heart procedure.
  • Heart surgery.

For some people, lifestyle changes may be the only necessary treatment for atherosclerosis.

Drugs

Many different medicines can slow or even reverse — the effects of atherosclerosis. Medications for the treatment of atherosclerosis may include:

  • Statins and other cholesterol drugs.These medications may help reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, also called "bad" cholesterol. The drugs can also reduce the buildup of plaque. Some cholesterol medications can even reverse the buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries. Statins are a common type of cholesterol medicine. Other types include niacin, fibrates and bile acid sequestrants. You may need more than one type of cholesterol medicine.
  • The aspirin. Aspirin helps to thin the blood and prevent the formation of blood clots. Daily low-dose aspirin therapy may be recommended for the primary prevention of heart attack or stroke in people. Primary prevention means that you have never had a heart attack or a stroke. You've never had a coronary bypass surgery or coronary angioplasty with stent placement. You've never had a blockage of the arteries in the neck, legs or other parts of the body. But take a daily aspirin to prevent such events in heart. The benefits of aspirin for this usage has been the subject of debate. Do not start taking a daily aspirin without talking to a health professional.
  • Blood pressure medication. Medications to lower the blood pressure does not help to reverse atherosclerosis. Place of preventing or treating complications associated with the disease. For example, some blood pressure medications can help reduce the risk of a heart attack.
  • Other medications. Medications can be used to control other conditions that increase the risk of atherosclerosis. Diabetes is an example. Medications can also be administered for the treatment of specific symptoms of atherosclerosis, such as pain in the legs during exercise.
  • Fibrinolytic therapy. If a blood clot in an artery that is blocking the flow of blood, your health care professional may use a clot-dissolving medicine to break it. This therapy is usually used in emergency situations.

Statins and other cholesterol drugs. These medications may help reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, also called "bad" cholesterol. The drugs can also reduce the buildup of plaque. Some cholesterol medications can even reverse the buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries.

Statins are a common type of cholesterol medicine. Other types include niacin, fibrates and bile acid sequestrants. You may need more than one type of cholesterol medicine.

Surgery or other procedures

If atherosclerosis causes a severe blockage in an artery, you may need a procedure or surgery for its treatment.

Surgery or procedures for atherosclerosis may include:

  • Angioplasty and stent placement , also called percutaneous coronary intervention. This treatment helps to open a lid or a blocked artery. A doctor guides a thin, flexible tube called a catheter to the narrowed part of the artery. A small balloon is inflated to help widen the blocked artery and improve the blood flow. A small wire mesh tube called a stent can be used to keep the artery open. Some stents slowly release the medicine to help keep the arteries open.
  • The endarterectomy. This is a surgery to remove the accumulation of fat in the walls of a narrowed artery. When the treatment is performed in the arteries in the neck, it is called a carotid endarterectomy.
  • Coronary artery Bypass graft (CABG). A surgeon takes a healthy blood vessel from another part of the body to create a new path for the blood in the heart. The blood then goes around the blockage or narrowing of the coronary artery. CABG is an open-heart surgery. It is usually performed only in people who have many narrowing of the arteries of the heart.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Lifestyle changes can help keep your arteries healthy. They may also prevent or slow down atherosclerosis. The American Heart Association recommends these eight tips for a healthy heart:

  • Do not smoke, vape or use tobacco. Also stay away from cigarette smoke. Smoking damages the arteries. Smoking is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease. Nicotine constricts the blood vessels and forces the heart to work harder. Not smoking is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis complications, such as a heart attack.
  • Get regular exercise. Staying active keeps the body healthy. Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week. Talk with your health care team about the amount and type of exercise is best for you.
  • Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight increases your risk of coronary artery disease, which is caused by atherosclerosis. Losing even a small amount of weight can help reduce the risk. Ask your healthcare professional what is the ideal weight for you.
  • Eat healthy foods. Choose fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Limit the salt and saturated fat. Read nutrition labels to check the amount of salt and fat.
  • Manage stress. Find ways to help reduce stress. Some ideas for to do more exercise, practice mindfulness and connecting with others in support groups. Or practice yoga or deep breathing exercises. These practices of relaxation can temporarily lower your blood pressure, reducing the risk of developing atherosclerosis.
  • Control of blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol. Make lifestyle changes and take medications as directed. Get health checkups.
  • Limit the consumption of alcohol. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. For healthy adults, that means up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.
  • Sleep well. Lack of sleep can increase the risk of heart disease and other health conditions. Adults should get 7 to 9 hours a day.

Alternative medicine

Some foods and herbal supplements can help to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. These two conditions are important risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis. Alternative medicine products for atherosclerosis include:

  • The alpha-linolenic acid.
  • Barley.
  • The Beta-sitosterol, found in supplements and in some margarines.
  • Psyllium, found in the seed shell, and some fiber supplements.
  • Cocoa.
  • The fish oil.
  • Garlic.
  • The green tea.
  • The oat bran, is located in the oatmeal and whole oats.
  • Sitostanol, found in supplements and in some margarines.

Talk with your health care provider before adding supplements to your treatment of atherosclerosis. Some supplements change the way medicines for atherosclerosis work. This could cause harmful side effects.

Preparing for your appointment

If you think you may have atherosclerosis, or if you have a family history of heart disease, make an appointment for a health checkup. Ask if you need a cholesterol test.

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

  • Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. When you make the appointment, ask if there is something that you need to do prior to your visit. For example, you may be asked not to eat or drink anything for a couple of hours before a cholesterol test.
  • Write down the symptoms. Include those that do not seem to be related to atherosclerosis. Always tell your health care team if you have symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath. This information helps guide treatment.
  • Write important personal information. Include if you have a family history of high cholesterol, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure or diabetes. Also keep in mind if you have had any major stresses or recent life changes.
  • Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements you take. To include in the dose.
  • Bring someone along, if possible. Someone who goes with you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
  • Be prepared to talk about your eating and exercise habits. If you don't already eat healthy, or exercise, your health care team can give you tips on how to get started.
  • Write questions to ask their health professional.

For atherosclerosis, some basic questions to ask your health care professional are:

  • What tests are needed?
  • What is the best treatment?
  • What foods should I eat or not to eat?
  • What is an appropriate level of exercise?
  • With what frequency do I need a cholesterol test?
  • What are the options for the primary treatment you are suggesting?
  • Is there a generic option for the medicine you're prescribing?
  • I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
  • You should see a specialist?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What sites do you recommend?

Do not hesitate to ask any other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care team is likely that many questions, including:

  • Do you have a family history of high cholesterol, high blood pressure or heart disease?
  • What are your diet and exercise habits like?
  • Do you or did you smoke or use tobacco in any form?
  • Do you have chest pain or discomfort or pain in the legs when walking or at rest?
  • Have had a stroke or unexplained numbness, tingling, or weakness in one side of the body, or difficulty speaking?

What you can do in the meantime

It is never too early to make changes healthy lifestyle. Eat healthy, be active, exercise more and to not smoke or vape. These are simple ways to protect against atherosclerosis and its complications, including heart attack and stroke.

Symptoms and treatment of Arteriosclerosis / atherosclerosis