Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a narrowing and thickening of the arteries due to plaque buildup on the arterial wall. Plaque buildup occurs when the cell layer on the inner wall of the artery (endothelium) is in charge of maintaining a smooth flow of blood.
The plaque that causes atherosclerosis consists of cholesterol, fat substances, calcium, and fibrin (substances in the blood). Plaques can be carried by the bloodstream to cause blockages, or form blood clots on the surface of the plaque. This causes the circulation of blood and oxygen from the arteries to the body's organs to be blocked.
Although classified as a heart disorder, atherosclerosis can actually occur in arteries in any part of the body, such as the brain, kidneys, or legs, and can trigger health problems in these parts.
The occurrence of atherosclerosis can start from childhood and develop slowly. Harmful symptoms only appear when the patient's age reaches 50 or 60 years. However, this disease can be avoided and overcome by lifestyle changes,
Atherosclerosis symptoms
Symptoms of new atherosclerosis will be felt when the arteries have been very narrowed and inhibits blood circulation to the tissues or organs of the body. Symptoms that appear depend on the location of ateriosclerosis, including:
- Atherosclerosis of the hands and feet; cause pain when walking (claudication).
- Atherosclerosis in the kidneys; causes kidney failure and high blood pressure.
- Atherosclerosis in the heart; causes chest pain (angina).
- Aerosklerosis in the brain; resulting in weak or stiff hands and feet, difficulty speaking, weakened facial muscles, or temporary loss of vision in one eye.
Causes of Atherosclerosis
The exact cause of atherosclerosis is unknown, but the disease starts when there is damage or injury to the inner lining of the arteries (endothelium). The damage can be caused by:
- Cholesterol levels, triglycerides, and high blood pressure.
- Diabetes or insulin resistance.
- Diseases that cause inflammation, such as arthritis, infection, or lupus.
- Smoking habit.
- Obesity.
In addition to the above causes, someone who has a family member with a history of atherosclerosis is also thought to be at high risk for suffering from the same disease.
Diagnosis of Atherosclerosis
Diagnosis can begin with a physical examination. The occurrence of circulatory disorders can be characterized by a weak pulse, low blood pressure in the affected limb, and wound healing. The results of the physical examination need to be strengthened by several follow-up examinations which include:
- Blood test, to see cholesterol levels and blood sugar.
- Comparison of the foot and arm blood pressure index, to check for clogged arteries in the hands and feet.
- Electrocardiogram (EKG), to check heart activity which can show evidence of a previous heart attack.
- Doppler ultrasound, to see if there is a blockage of the arteries with sound waves.
- Stress test or treadmill examination, to check the heart's electrical activity and blood pressure when doing physical activities.
- Scanning, including magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) and CT scan to check the condition of the arteries.
- Angiogram and cardiac catheterization, which is the examination of the condition of the heart arteries by injecting contrast (dye) in the arteries so that it can be seen through photo R
Atherosclerosis treatment
Handling atherosclerosis can be done through three things, namely lifestyle changes, medicines, and operating procedures.
Changes in daily lifestyle are the main things that need to be done. Patients are encouraged to exercise more often to improve the health of the heart and blood vessels, and reduce consumption of foods with high levels of fat and cholesterol.
In addition to lifestyle changes, administration of drugs is also important to prevent atherosclerosis getting worse. Among others are:
- Medications for preventing blood clots that block arteries. Medications that may be given are antiplatelet and anticoagulants, such as aspirin.
- Blood pressure-lowering drugs. Medications that may be given are beta blockers (beta blockers), calcium channel blockers (calcium channel blockers), and diuretics to increase the urine rate
- Drugs that reduce levels of bad cholesterol (LDL), such as statins and fibric acid.
- Angiostensin enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors). This drug can relieve the development of atherosclerosis by lowering blood pressure and preventing narrowing of the arteries.
- Other drugs to control medical conditions that cause atherosclerosis, such as diabetes medications.
In cases of severe atherosclerosis, surgical procedures need to be carried out. Among others are:
- Bypass surgery, to overcome blockages or narrowing of the arteries. This operation is carried out by blocking the blocked blood vessels by using blood vessels from other body parts or synthetic hoses to keep blood flowing.
- Fibrinolytic therapy to treat clogged arteries due to blood clots.
- Installation of tubes (stents) and angioplasty. The purpose of this procedure is the same as bypass surgery, which is to overcome narrowing or blockage of the arteries. In this procedure, the doctor will install two catheters and a small tube to keep the arteries open.
- Endarterectomy to remove fat deposits in the narrowed artery wall.
- Arterectomy to remove plaque and arteries.
Complications of Atherosclerosis
Complications that can occur due to atherosclerosis are:
- Momentary ischemic attacks (mild strokes / TIA) and strokes, when atherosclerosis occurs in arteries near the brain organs.
- Gangrene (dead tissue), when atherosclerosis occurs in the hands and feet which results in impaired blood circulation.
- Chronic kidney disease, when atherosclerosis occurs in the arteries that lead to the kidneys.
- Aneurysms or dilation of blood vessels in the arterial wall.
- Heart attack, heart failure, and angina, when atherosclerosis occurs in the heart arteries.
The plaque that causes atherosclerosis consists of cholesterol, fat substances, calcium, and fibrin (substances in the blood). Plaques can be carried by the bloodstream to cause blockages, or form blood clots on the surface of the plaque. This causes the circulation of blood and oxygen from the arteries to the body's organs to be blocked.
Although classified as a heart disorder, atherosclerosis can actually occur in arteries in any part of the body, such as the brain, kidneys, or legs, and can trigger health problems in these parts.
The occurrence of atherosclerosis can start from childhood and develop slowly. Harmful symptoms only appear when the patient's age reaches 50 or 60 years. However, this disease can be avoided and overcome by lifestyle changes,
Atherosclerosis symptoms
Symptoms of new atherosclerosis will be felt when the arteries have been very narrowed and inhibits blood circulation to the tissues or organs of the body. Symptoms that appear depend on the location of ateriosclerosis, including:
- Atherosclerosis of the hands and feet; cause pain when walking (claudication).
- Atherosclerosis in the kidneys; causes kidney failure and high blood pressure.
- Atherosclerosis in the heart; causes chest pain (angina).
- Aerosklerosis in the brain; resulting in weak or stiff hands and feet, difficulty speaking, weakened facial muscles, or temporary loss of vision in one eye.
Causes of Atherosclerosis
The exact cause of atherosclerosis is unknown, but the disease starts when there is damage or injury to the inner lining of the arteries (endothelium). The damage can be caused by:
- Cholesterol levels, triglycerides, and high blood pressure.
- Diabetes or insulin resistance.
- Diseases that cause inflammation, such as arthritis, infection, or lupus.
- Smoking habit.
- Obesity.
In addition to the above causes, someone who has a family member with a history of atherosclerosis is also thought to be at high risk for suffering from the same disease.
Diagnosis of Atherosclerosis
Diagnosis can begin with a physical examination. The occurrence of circulatory disorders can be characterized by a weak pulse, low blood pressure in the affected limb, and wound healing. The results of the physical examination need to be strengthened by several follow-up examinations which include:
- Blood test, to see cholesterol levels and blood sugar.
- Comparison of the foot and arm blood pressure index, to check for clogged arteries in the hands and feet.
- Electrocardiogram (EKG), to check heart activity which can show evidence of a previous heart attack.
- Doppler ultrasound, to see if there is a blockage of the arteries with sound waves.
- Stress test or treadmill examination, to check the heart's electrical activity and blood pressure when doing physical activities.
- Scanning, including magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) and CT scan to check the condition of the arteries.
- Angiogram and cardiac catheterization, which is the examination of the condition of the heart arteries by injecting contrast (dye) in the arteries so that it can be seen through photo R
Atherosclerosis treatment
Handling atherosclerosis can be done through three things, namely lifestyle changes, medicines, and operating procedures.
Changes in daily lifestyle are the main things that need to be done. Patients are encouraged to exercise more often to improve the health of the heart and blood vessels, and reduce consumption of foods with high levels of fat and cholesterol.
In addition to lifestyle changes, administration of drugs is also important to prevent atherosclerosis getting worse. Among others are:
- Medications for preventing blood clots that block arteries. Medications that may be given are antiplatelet and anticoagulants, such as aspirin.
- Blood pressure-lowering drugs. Medications that may be given are beta blockers (beta blockers), calcium channel blockers (calcium channel blockers), and diuretics to increase the urine rate
- Drugs that reduce levels of bad cholesterol (LDL), such as statins and fibric acid.
- Angiostensin enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors). This drug can relieve the development of atherosclerosis by lowering blood pressure and preventing narrowing of the arteries.
- Other drugs to control medical conditions that cause atherosclerosis, such as diabetes medications.
In cases of severe atherosclerosis, surgical procedures need to be carried out. Among others are:
- Bypass surgery, to overcome blockages or narrowing of the arteries. This operation is carried out by blocking the blocked blood vessels by using blood vessels from other body parts or synthetic hoses to keep blood flowing.
- Fibrinolytic therapy to treat clogged arteries due to blood clots.
- Installation of tubes (stents) and angioplasty. The purpose of this procedure is the same as bypass surgery, which is to overcome narrowing or blockage of the arteries. In this procedure, the doctor will install two catheters and a small tube to keep the arteries open.
- Endarterectomy to remove fat deposits in the narrowed artery wall.
- Arterectomy to remove plaque and arteries.
Complications of Atherosclerosis
Complications that can occur due to atherosclerosis are:
- Momentary ischemic attacks (mild strokes / TIA) and strokes, when atherosclerosis occurs in arteries near the brain organs.
- Gangrene (dead tissue), when atherosclerosis occurs in the hands and feet which results in impaired blood circulation.
- Chronic kidney disease, when atherosclerosis occurs in the arteries that lead to the kidneys.
- Aneurysms or dilation of blood vessels in the arterial wall.
- Heart attack, heart failure, and angina, when atherosclerosis occurs in the heart arteries.
Komentar
Posting Komentar