Atherosclerosis is a slow, lifelong progression of changes in the blood vessels that may start in childhood and get worse faster as you age. Four possible causes of such damage are:. Smoking makes fatty deposits more likely to form, and it accelerates the growth of plaque. Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisers.
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Receiving treatment early can reduce the risk of severe complications. Treatment aims to slow or stop the development of plaque, prevent blood clots forming, and treat symptoms. Research shows that the following lifestyle choices might reduce the risk:. Other medications can lower blood pressure, reduce blood sugar, and prevent clots and inflammation.
They should also follow a healthful lifestyle, as well as using medication. Sometimes a person will need surgery to ensure that blood in their arteries continues to flow effectively.
People with a higher risk of atherosclerosis include those with:. Recent evidence indicates that inflammation may play a role. Research suggests that air pollution could increase the risk by triggering inflammation. Atherosclerosis is a serious condition that can have life threatening consequences. It can affect people of any age, but symptoms are most likely to appear as people get older. One way to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis is to follow a healthful lifestyle from an early age.
For those with atherosclerosis, a doctor can advise on treatment and lifestyle choices to reduce the risk of complications. People sometimes call high blood pressure the silent killer because it often has no symptoms, but it can lead to life threatening complications. Angina is pain, squeezing, or pressure in the chest. It signals that too little oxygen is reaching the heart. Learn more here, including when to seek…. The most healthful diet involves eating a variety of nutrient dense foods from all major food groups.
Learn about healthful diets and tips here. High cholesterol is a risk factor for heart attacks and coronary heart disease, because it builds up in the arteries, narrowing them. It does not…. If you're wondering what foods you should be including in your diet, look no further. We cover an A to Z of popular healthy food items. Over time, plaque, which is made of fatty cells cholesterol , calcium, and other waste products, builds up in a major artery.
The artery becomes more and more narrow, which means blood is unable to get to areas it needs to reach. There is also a higher risk that if a blood clot breaks away from another area in the body, it could get stuck in the narrow artery and cut off blood supply completely, causing a heart attack or stroke. Atherosclerosis is a complex condition, generally starting early in life and progressing as people get older. Studies have found that children as young as 10 to 14 can show the early stages of atherosclerosis.
For some people, the disease advances quickly in their 20s and 30s, while others may not have issues until their 50s or 60s. The most common contributors to this damage are high cholesterol , high blood pressure , and smoking cigarettes.
Your arteries carry oxygenated blood to vital organs like your heart, brain, and kidneys. How your body is affected depends on which arteries are blocked. If you have symptoms, like a weak pulse near a major artery, lower blood pressure near an arm or leg, or signs of an aneurysm, your doctor may notice them during a regular physical exam.
Results from a blood test can tell the doctor if you have high cholesterol. If atherosclerosis has progressed beyond what lifestyle changes can reduce, there are medications and surgical treatments available.
Medications typically include drugs to treat high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Some examples are:. Surgery is considered a more aggressive treatment and is done if the blockage is life-threatening. A surgeon may go in and remove plaque from an artery or redirect blood flow around the blocked artery. Healthy dietary changes, stopping smoking, and exercise can be powerful weapons against high blood pressure and high cholesterol, two major contributors to atherosclerosis.
Aim for 30 to 60 minutes a day of moderate cardio.
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