Atherosclerosis

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What is this disease?

Symptoms

• Angina (Chest Pain) severe

  Pressure, squeezing, or a sense of fullness in the center of the chest, often occurring during physical activity or emotional stress.

• Claudication (Leg Pain) moderate

  Pain, cramping, or fatigue in the legs, calves, or thighs during physical activity (like walking) that typically resolves with rest.

• Sudden Numbness or Weakness severe

  Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arms, or legs, especially on one side of the body, which can indicate restricted blood flow to the brain.

• Unexplained Fatigue mild

  Feeling unusually tired or exhausted, especially after physical exertion, due to decreased oxygen flow.

Causes & risk factors

• High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) risk factor

  Over time, chronic high blood pressure can damage the inner lining of the arteries (the endothelium), allowing cholesterol, fat, and other substances to accumulate and harden into plaque.

• Smoking lifestyle

  Chemical compounds in tobacco smoke damage blood vessels, significantly increasing the rate at which plaque builds up in the arteries while also lowering the levels of HDL (good) cholesterol.

Diagnosis / tests

• Blood Tests

  Blood tests are used to check cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar levels. High levels of these substances are key indicators that raise the risk of plaque buildup and atherosclerosis.

• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)

  A quick and painless test that measures and records the electrical signals of the heart. It can reveal if there has been reduced blood flow to the heart caused by narrowed arteries.

• Coronary Calcium Scan

  This test uses computerized tomography (CT) imaging to look for and measure calcium deposits in the artery walls. A higher amount of calcium buildup is an early and significant indicator of atherosclerosis.

First aid / immediate care

1. Call Emergency Services Emergency

   Call emergency medical help immediately if you or someone else experiences sudden symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or discomfort spreading to the arms or jaw. Do not attempt to drive the person to the hospital yourself unless there is no other option.

2. Give Aspirin or Prescribed Medication Emergency

   Help the person into a comfortable resting position. If they are awake, not allergic, and able to swallow, give them a chewable aspirin to reduce blood clotting and heart damage. If they have a prescription for nitroglycerin, assist them in taking it strictly as directed by their healthcare professional.

3. Begin CPR if Unresponsive Emergency

   If the person becomes unresponsive and is not breathing, immediately begin hands-only CPR by pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. If an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is available nearby, turn it on and follow its clear voice instructions.

Treatment

Educational information only — not a personal prescription. Always consult a qualified clinician.

• Statins and Cholesterol Medications medication

  Medications such as statins are commonly prescribed to aggressively lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. This can help slow, stop, or even reverse the buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries.

• Angioplasty and Stent Placement procedure

  A minimally invasive procedure where a doctor threads a thin tube (catheter) into the narrowed part of the artery. A small balloon is inflated to widen the artery, and a wire mesh tube (stent) is often placed to keep it permanently open and improve blood flow.

• Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery surgery

  For severe atherosclerosis, surgeons take a healthy blood vessel from another part of the body to create a new path (bypass) for blood to flow around the blocked or narrowed artery, restoring adequate blood supply to the heart.

Prevention / protection

• Adopt a Heart-Healthy Diet

  Focus on eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Limit the intake of saturated fats, trans fats, sodium, and added sugars to help maintain healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels, which prevents plaque buildup.

• Exercise Regularly

  Engage in regular physical activity, such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling, for at least 30 minutes most days of the week. Routine exercise helps improve circulation, lower blood pressure, and maintain a healthy weight.

• Quit Smoking

  Stopping the use of tobacco is one of the most effective ways to prevent atherosclerosis. Quitting smoking halts the ongoing damage to the inner lining of your blood vessels and significantly reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Diet & lifestyle

Lifestyle

Diet

Things to avoid

• Follow a Heart-Healthy Diet diet

  Adopt an eating plan like the Mediterranean or DASH diet, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins like fish and legumes. Strictly limit saturated fats, trans fats, sodium, and refined sugars to help lower bad cholesterol and manage blood pressure.

• Engage in Regular Physical Activity exercise

  Get regular exercise and keep an active lifestyle. Routine physical activity helps improve circulation, lower blood pressure, and maintain a healthy weight.

• Prioritize Quality Sleep lifestyle

  Disruptive rest conditions, such as sleep apnea, are controllable risk factors that can negatively impact arterial health. Seeking treatment to ensure adequate, uninterrupted sleep protects your cardiovascular system.

• Control Underlying Health Conditions general advice

  Work closely with your healthcare provider to control blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol. Consistently managing related conditions like diabetes is crucial to preventing the disease from getting worse.

• Limit Alcohol Consumption things to avoid

  Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can raise your blood pressure and increase your triglyceride levels, both of which accelerate the hardening and narrowing of your arteries. If you choose to drink alcohol, it should only be consumed in moderation.

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