Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a form or arteriosclerosis and refers to the buildup of fats and cholesterol in and on your artery walls. The plaque formed causes the arteries to narrow, blocking blood flow. It can also burst and lead to a blood clot.

Mild atherosclerosis does not have any symptoms, as symptoms usually present themselves when the arteries have become too narrowed and insufficient blood is supplied to organs or tissues. The symptoms also depend on where the atherosclerosis is located. If it is located in the heart arteries, the patient may experience heart pain. However, if it is found in arteries leading to the legs, the patient may feel pain when walking.

There are many complications associated with atherosclerosis, depending on which arteries are blocked. When arteries in the brain narrow, the patient may experience an ischemic stroke and when arteries in the heart narrow, the patient may have a heart attack.

The buildup of fatty deposits can be slowed or even reversed by aggressively lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol through medication. Blood thinners are also prescribed to reduce the risk of a formation of a blood clot. Nevertheless, a healthy lifestyle is still the best form of management.

Sources:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arteriosclerosis-atherosclerosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350569

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arteriosclerosis-atherosclerosis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350575

https://share.upmc.com/2015/08/what-is-atherosclerosis-hardening-arteries/

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