 |
| Arteriosclerosis, Definition, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, Complications |
Arteriosclerosis is the hardening of the arteries due to the buildup of plaque on the artery walls. Hardened arteries can make blood flow to the organs of the body not smooth so that it interferes with the function of these organs. This condition can occur due to various things, such as fat accumulation or aging.
Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Over time, arteries can harden and lose their elasticity.
Arteriosclerosis can occur in the arteries that supply blood to the heart, brain, legs, and kidneys. If it lasts for a long time, blood flow to these organs will be disrupted, even blocked. As a result, people with arteriosclerosis are at risk for serious diseases, such as stroke and coronary heart disease.
Although often considered the same, arteriosclerosis is different from atherosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis includes all conditions of hardening of the arteries. While atherosclerosis is hardening of the arteries that specifically occurs due to the accumulation of fat in the artery walls. In other words, atherosclerosis belongs to the type of arteriosclerosis.
Causes of Arteriosclerosis
Arteriosclerosis occurs when the inner walls of the arteries are damaged. As a result, blood cells and plaque that is formed from cholesterol, fat, or calcium builds up on the artery walls and clogs blood vessels.
Blockage of blood vessels makes blood flow to the organs of the body not smooth. This results in the organ not functioning properly.
It is not known exactly what causes damage to the arteries. However, this condition is believed to occur from a young age and can develop with age.
In addition, there are several conditions that can increase the risk of arterial damage, namely:
- High cholesterol
- High triglycerides
- High blood pressure
- Excess weight
- Diabetes
- Inflammation from arthritis, lupus, or infection
- Smoking habit
- Lack of exercise
- Unhealthy diet
- Family history of heart disease
Types of Arteriosclerosis
Arteriosclerosis can be divided into several types, namely:
- Atherosclerosis
- As previously explained, atherosclerosis occurs due to the accumulation of fat in the walls of the arteries. Atherosclerosis is the most common type of arteriosclerosis.
- Arteriosclerosis
- Arteriosclerosis is the hardening of the arteries due to the accumulation of fat. This type is almost the same as atherosclerosis. The difference is that arteriosclerosis occurs in the walls of the smaller arteries, namely the arterioles.
- Monkeberg's arteriosclerosis
- This type of atherosclerosis is caused by a buildup of calcium in the middle lining of the arteries. Mönkeberg's arteriosclerosis is a rare type of arteriosclerosis.
Symptoms of Arteriosclerosis
Most cases of arteriosclerosis do not cause symptoms until there is a blockage in the artery. Symptoms that appear depend on the location of the blocked artery.
Based on the location of the blocked artery, the symptoms that can appear are:
- Blockage in the arteries leading to the brain, which can cause symptoms such as numbness in the legs and arms, difficulty speaking, impaired vision, and a drooping face
- Blockage in the arteries leading to the heart, which can cause complaints in the form of chest pain, shortness of breath, and heart rhythm disturbances
- Blockage in the arteries leading to the leg, which can cause symptoms such as pain in the leg when walking and a drop in blood pressure in the affected arm
- Blockage in the arteries leading to the kidneys, which can cause complaints in the form of high blood pressure to kidney failure
When to go to the doctor
Immediately see a doctor if you experience the symptoms of arteriosclerosis as mentioned above, especially chest pain and numbness or pain in the legs. Early examination and treatment can prevent arteriosclerosis from worsening and progressing to heart disease and stroke.
Diagnosis of Arteriosclerosis
The doctor will ask the patient's symptoms, as well as the patient's and family's medical history. After that, the doctor will perform a thorough physical examination, including measuring the difference in blood pressure in the arms and legs (ankle-brachial index), as well as checking the pulse near the narrowed arteries.
Next, the doctor will carry out supporting examinations, the type of which depends on the results of the physical examination. These supporting examinations include:
- Blood tests, to measure cholesterol and blood sugar levels
- Doppler ultrasound, to measure blood pressure in the legs or arms
- Stress test, to measure how well the heart is working during physical activity
- Electrocardiography (ECG), to measure the electrical activity of the heart
- Cardiac catheterization, to see if there is a blockage in the heart's blood vessels
- Scans with a CT scan or MRA (magnetic resonance angiography), to see narrowing and hardening of the artery walls
Arteriosclerosis Treatment
One of the recommended treatment methods for arteriosclerosis is to change your lifestyle, such as exercising regularly and eating healthy foods. However, in some cases, patients require medical treatment in the form of:
Drugs
The following medicines are used to slow or stop the effects of arteriosclerosis:
- Statins or fibrates, to lower cholesterol
- Antiplatelet drugs, to prevent blood clots in the arteries
- Beta blockers, to lower a fast heart rhythm
- ACE inhibitors and diuretics, to lower high blood pressure
- Calcium antagonist, to treat high blood pressure and angina
Operation
If arteriosclerosis is severe and it is feared that it will damage the muscles and skin tissue, the doctor will perform surgery. Possible surgical methods include:
- Endarterectomy, to remove plaque that clogs arteries
- Angioplasty and ring (stent) placement, to open narrowed arteries
- Bypass surgery, to make way for blocked arteries with blood vessels from the calves or arms so that blood flow becomes smooth
Complications of Arteriosclerosis
Complications that can occur due to arteriosclerosis depend on the location of the blocked artery. These complications include:
- Coronary heart disease
- Transient ischemic attack and stroke
- Peripheral artery disease
- Chronic kidney disease
- Aneurysm (enlargement of a blood vessel)
Prevention of Arteriosclerosis
Arteriosclerosis can be prevented by minimizing the risk factors mentioned above. The trick is to live a healthy lifestyle, such as:
- Do not smoke
- Exercise regularly
- Eat a healthy and balanced diet, and increase your intake of vegetables and fruits
- Maintain ideal body weight
- Get enough rest and sleep
- Manage stress well
In addition, people with diabetes, lupus, and arthritis are recommended to check with their doctor regularly, to monitor their health condition and the effectiveness of the treatment that has been done.
Related Search:
- arteriosclerosis,
- arteriosclerosis definition,
- atherosclerosis vs arteriosclerosis,
- arteriosclerosis vs atherosclerosis,
- coronary arteriosclerosis,
- what is arteriosclerosis,
- cerebral arteriosclerosis,
- arteriosclerosis symptoms,
- what is the impact of arteriosclerosis,
- compare and contrast arteriosclerosis with atherosclerosis.,
- arteriosclerosis treatment,
- what distinguishes atherosclerosis from arteriosclerosis?,
- what distinguishes atherosclerosis from arteriosclerosis,
- difference between atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis,
- angioplasty is the most typical treatment for arteriosclerosis.,
- define arteriosclerosis,
- arteriosclerosis obliterans,
- arteriosclerosis medical definition,
- arteriosclerosis medical term,
- what is the impact of arteriosclerosis?,
- types of arteriosclerosis,
- arteriosclerosis causes,
- cause of arteriosclerosis,
- causes of arteriosclerosis,
- arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis,
- arteriosclerosis cause,
- atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis,
- what is the difference between atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis,
- arteriosclerosis of the aorta,
- icd 10 code for coronary arteriosclerosis,
- arteriosclerosis of aorta,
- what is the difference between arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis,
- what causes arteriosclerosis,
- coronary arteriosclerosis icd 10,
- arteriosclerosis meaning,
- difference between arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis,
- arteriosclerosis means,
- arteriosclerosis.,
- symptoms of arteriosclerosis,
- arteriosclerosis icd 10,
- arteriosclerosis cardiovascular disease,
- arteriosclerosis/atherosclerosis is the underlying cause of heart disease.,
- arteriosclerosis is,
- atherosclerosis arteriosclerosis,
- angioplasty is the most typical treatment for arteriosclerosis,
- q es arteriosclerosis,
- hypertensive arteriosclerosis,
- hypertensive arteriosclerosis cardiovascular disease cause of death,
- atherosclerosis versus arteriosclerosis,
- arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology,
- que es arteriosclerosis,
- arteriosclerosis sÃntomas,
- arteriosclerosis atherosclerosis,
- arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis put a person at risk for:,
- what does arteriosclerosis mean,
- what does arteriosclerosis means,
- what is arteriosclerosis?,
- arteriosclerosis can lead to,
- arteriosclerosis risk factors,
- arteriosclerosis signs and symptoms,
- arteriosclerosis heart disease,
- arteriosclerosis tratamiento,
- risk factors for arteriosclerosis,
- why are arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis bad?,
- signs and symptoms of arteriosclerosis,
- arteriosclerosis cardiovascular disease.,
- what is arteriosclerosis cardiovascular disease,
- monckeberg arteriosclerosis,
- arteriosclerosis brain,
- arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis put a person at risk for,
- compare and contrast arteriosclerosis with atherosclerosis,
- icd 10 coronary arteriosclerosis,
- treatment for arteriosclerosis,
- arteriosclerosis vs atherosclerosis difference,
- arteriosclerosis of the brain,
- arteriosclerosis in the brain,
- icd 9 code for coronary arteriosclerosis,
- athero vs arteriosclerosis,
- arteriosclerosis is:,
- what is arteriosclerosis heart disease,
- arteriosclerosis diagnosis,
- mild arteriosclerosis,
- signs of arteriosclerosis,
- arteriosclerosis prefix and suffix,
- arteriosclerosis/atherosclerosis is the underlying cause of heart disease,
- arteriosclerosis can lead to quizlet,
- how many word roots are in the medical term arteriosclerosis,
- aortic arteriosclerosis icd 10,
- arteriosclerosis multiple,
- arteriosclerosis can lead to all of the following except,
- test for arteriosclerosis,
- arteriosclerosis,,
- arteriosclerosis is characterized by,
- arteriosclerosis of native arteries of the left leg with gangrene,
- atherosclerosis vs. arteriosclerosis,
- arteriosclerosis que es,
- arteriosclerosis prevention,
- arteriosclerosis is the,
- is arteriosclerosis,
- cerebral arteriosclerosis icd 10,
