Arteriosclerosis

Arteriosclerosis refers to a stiffening of arteries. Arteriosclerosis is a general term describing any hardening (and loss of elasticity) of medium or large arteries.

Types:

• Arteriosclerosis obliterans is typically seen in medium and large arteries of the lower extremity. Characterized by fibrosis of the intima and calcification of the media. The lumen of the vessel may be obliterated or markedly narrowed.
• Medial calcific sclerosis (Monckeberg’s calcific sclerosis) is seen mostly in the elderly, commonly in arteries of the extremities. Characterized by calcification of the Tunica media but without thickening of the intima or narrowing of the vessel lumen. A similar form of an intramural calcification, presenting the picture of an early phase of arteriosclerosis, appears to be induced by a number of drugs that have an antiproliferative mechanism of action.

Signs And Symptoms:

Chest Pain - If the coronary arteries are involved, the patient may have sharp chest pains, characteristic of angina pectoris.

High Blood Pressure - If arteries leading to the kidneys are involved, the patient may suffer from high blood pressure and kidney disorders.

Leg pain - There may also be seen a leg pain when a leg artery is involved.

Brain Hemorrhage - There may be a condition leading to a Brain Hemorrhage when arteries leading to the brain are involved - the vessel may burst, causing hemorrhage in the brain tissues.

Other Common Symptoms are:

• Headaches.
• Ringing of ear.
• Memory problems.
• Mood changes.
• Numbness of the legs or feet at rest.
• Cold legs or feet.
• Muscle pain in the thighs.
• Loss of hair on the legs and/or feet.
• Change of color of the legs.
• Paleness or blueness.

Causes:

Improper diet - The consumption of saturated fats, coffee, caffeinated colas and alcohol are not good for arteriosclerotic patient. A diet rich in sweets, fast food and refined food, and a high fat diet with excessive cholesterol - may also lead to arteriosclerosis. So, stop eating such foods right now, if you are an arteriosclerosis patient.

High Stress: A high-stress lifestyle may increase your blood pressure and thus affect the heart and arteries, leading to arteriosclerosis.

Inadequate Blood Supply - Improper blood supply may leads to the occurrence of arteriosclerosis. Signs of inadequate blood supply generally appear first in the legs.

Lack of Physical Exercise - One more very important cause of arteriosclerosis is lack of physical exercise. So, doing lot of physical exercise is a must for arteriosclerosis patient.

Main Causes:

• Hypertension.
• Diabetes mellitus.
• Smoking.
• Obesity.
• Gender.
• Heredity.
• Age.

Diagnosis:

Your doctor may find signs of narrowed, enlarged or hardened arteries during a physical exam. These include:

• 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 with a stethoscope
• Signs of a pulsating bulge (aneurysm) in your abdomen or behind your knee
• Evidence of poor wound healing in the area where your blood flow is restricted

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

- Blood Tests

- Doppler Ultrasound

- Ankle-brachial index

- Electrocardiogram

- Stress test

Treatment:

edication, surgical intervention and lifestyle modifications are all part of arteriosclerosis treatment.

• Medications for arteriosclerosis include those which help to slow down or reverse the fat buildup in the arterial walls. Anticoagulants may also be prescribed to reduce the risk of blood clots. Anti-platelet medication prevents blood from collecting within the narrowed arteries. 

• A procedure known as balloon angioplasty may be performed on the affected limb in order to open up the coronary artery. In many cases, surgery is preferred over medications because of its effectiveness. Surgical treatment for arteriosclerosis may include bypass surgery, removal of the arterial lining and repair or replacement of the affected blood vessel. 

• Lifestyle modifications for arteriosclerosis include several important measures. 

• Exercise is essential for good health of the cardiovascular system. Individuals who do not engage in regular exercise are at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease. Exercise helps to regulate blood flow throughout the body and also boosts immunity. 

• It is important to stop smoking immediately so that the arteries can loosen up and enable proper blood and oxygen flow. 

• The diet should be low in saturated and hydrogenated fats. Intake of processed foods should also be avoided.

• Alcohol should be avoided as it is converted into saturated fat in the body, thereby leading to weight gain. Excessive consumption of alcohol may double the cholesterol levels in the blood. 

• Excessive intake of coffee may be associated with arteriosclerosis. Some studies have shown that intake of five or more cups of coffee per day can raise the risk of heart disease.

There are some home remedies for arteriosclerosis that are believed to help in controlling the condition. However, they should not be used as a substitute medical treatment. Timely medical care is a must since arteriosclerosis is a progressive disease, which can eventually lead to heart failure. These home remedies may be used to supplement other treatment. It is advisable to consult your doctor before trying them out. Here are some popular remedies for keeping arteriosclerosis in check.

• Honey and lemon is known to be an effective treatment for narrowed arteries. It helps to loosen the plaque buildup in the arterial walls. You can consume a mixture of honey and lemon every evening. 

• Bromelain contained in pineapple helps to prevent sticking of the blood platelets. It also prevents blood clots from forming and reduces inflammation when there is damage or irritation to the arteries. 

Mortality Rate:

In 1994, the United States occurred in almost 1 million deaths from vascular disease (cancer twice and 10 times higher than for accidents). Although prevention and treatment of coronary artery disease (AC) produced a 28.6% decrease in adjusted mortality rates by age between 1984 and 1994 CAD and ischemic stroke combined are the murderer No. 1 in Western industrialized countries and is increasingly prevalent in the world.

The AC mortality rate among white men 25 to 34 years of age is approximately 1/10.000 and at age 55 to 64 years is almost 1/100.

More Information about Arteriosclerosis:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/atherosclerosis/
http://arteriosclerosis.org/
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/hardening_of_the_arteries/article_em.htm
http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/what-is-atherosclerosis