Coronary Atherosclerosis Disease
Atherosclerosis is defined as a condition where fatty material collects all along the artery walls and then thickens and eventually hardens to form calcium deposits that block the arteries. It can also be referred to as arteriosclerosis. In most cases, this condition is considered to be a heart problem, but can effect arteries throughout the body. It is both a preventable and treatable condition. Once the wall of the artery suffers damage, platelets can join together to attempt healing of the area, which causes inflammation. With time, cholesterol plaques and cellular waste will join at the injury and harden to cause a narrowing of the arteries. Blood flow is then affected causing damage to organs and tissues that are connected to the blocked area. Blood clots can form and travel to other organs of the body.
Most common causes of atherosclerosis include high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or foreign irritants like nicotine. Blood conditions that are hereditary in nature are also a commonly diagnosed cause. Symptoms are gradual and do not appear until the artery is already narrowed or clogged. Atherosclerosis can cause blockage in the heart arteries which lead to angina or other heart attack symptoms. Blockage to the brain will cause numbness in the arms or legs along with possible drooping muscles in the face. Atherosclerosis most commonly affects the arms and legs and cause leg pain when walking similar to peripheral arterial disease. Coronary artery disease or coronary atherosclerosis disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Many persons with atherosclerosis will not develop symptoms for sometimes decades until the disease causes symptoms of heart attack.
Physical exams will be performed to look for signs of decreased blood pressure in a limb, pulsating bulges or aneurysm behind the knees, poor wound healing, or absent pules near the arteries narrowed areas. Blood tests can be evaluated to determine cholesterol or blood sugar levels that increase the risk for this condition. Ultrasounds measure a persons blood pressure at specific points in the arms or legs and can help determine the degree of blockage and the speed the blood is flowing. Angiograms or electrocardiograms can be ordered to view the blood flow through the heart, brain, and other limbs of the body as well as check for evidence of previous heat attack or the development of one.
Treatment options begin with medications to treat the underlying cause of the condition. Medication for cholesterol, diabetes, and blood pressure can be prescribed along with anticoagulants and anti-platelet medicines. In more severe cases, medical procedures can be performed. An angioplasty consists of a catheter being placed in the narrowed artery that inflates and compresses the deposits on artery walls. In extreme cases, bypass surgery can be performed to move blood flow around the blocked artery. Prevention of atherosclerosis begins with smoking cessation, exercise, diet, and stress management.