Definition of Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a disease dealing with the heart. This disease causes hardening, narrowing, or even blockage of the arteries, which makes the arteries thicken. Fat, calcium and plaque buildup are all components of atherosclerosis. The accumulations of calcium, fat, and plaque buildup quietly and slowly block the arteries, putting blood flow at an extremely high risk. Atherosclerosis is typically the reason for heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral vascular disease. These diseases with each other are called cardiovascular disease.1
Signs and symptoms
The signs and symptoms of atherosclerosis are exceptionally deceitful. The symptoms of this disease happen prematurely and develop mutely. When the symptoms indeed start to come about, it is an advanced and severe problem. There are tests for atherosclerosis, but none of them are without fault. Some tests have risk of injury, so testing is not as easy and simple as some might assume. There are three serious diseases caused by atherosclerosis: Coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, and Peripheral arterial disease. The warning signs of Coronary artery disease are usually chest pain when one is active, or angina. Angina is a symptom of heart disease; it happens when there is an extremely insufficient blood flow to the heart muscle. This is a result of constricted blood vessels, typically caused by hardening of the arteries.2 Angina is frequently described as tightness in the chest region
Atherosclerosis is one of a group of health problems that define coronary artery disease, oftentimes referred to as heart disease. Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of heart disease in the United States. The following is the definition provided by the American Heart Association:
Coronary artery disease affects the circulatory system. Chemically, this disease develops when blood vessels that are necessary for living become badly damaged. Cholesterol plaques become inflamed in the arteries. The most common signs and symptoms are chest pains which tighten the chest as if someone were standing on it. Shortening of breath also affects those with this disease because the heart is unable to supply enough blood. A major sign of this disease is having a heart attack. This indicates an artery that is completely blocked. This disease is caused by damaging the coronary arteries by smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. To diagnose this disease, medical physicians will perform physical exams and examine blood
Atherosclerosis is associated with the major killer ailments in America, which include strokes, heart attacks, as well as peripheral vascular disease. The condition arises when there are a narrowing and hardening of the arteries. This is usually a gradual process, and it slowly blocks the arteries. When this happens, it will impede smooth blood flow. It is estimated that at least one million Americans lost their lives to a condition associated with atherosclerosis for the past few years.
6. Atherosclerosis, pp.1157. is a form of arteriosclerosis in which thickening and hardening of the vessel are caused by the accumulation of lipid-laden macrophages w/I the arterial wall, which leads to the formation of a lesion called a plaque. It is not a single disease but rather a pathologic process that can affect vascular syustemns throughtout the body, resulting in ischemic syndromes that can vary widely in their severity and clinical manisfestations. It is the leading contributor to coronary artery and cerebrocascular disease. Athrosclerosis is an inflammatory disease, the lesions progress from endothelial injury and dysfunction
Heart disease is formed when plaque buildup thickens and stiffens artery walls. Causing it to
Atherosclerosis is a disease affecting the innermost layer of large and medium sized such as aorta and coronary arteries. It is a slow developing disease, it is complex and often starts in childhood and progresses with increasing age (Miksch, Hunter, & Papailiou, 2005). It appears as focal thickenings called fibrofatty plaques in an artery wall, these plaques are
There is no cure for peripheral arterial disease however with lifestyle changes and medication symptoms can be reduced. Lifestyle changes such as; Exercising more regular is important because it conditions the muscles to use the oxygen it is receiving more efficiently. Eating a healthier diet will help control blood pressure and cholesterol levels which contribute to atherosclerosis. Smoking is a big factor in developing and worsening peripheral arterial disease, by quitting smoking the risk of complications will be reduced. Avoiding certain cold medication is also important as these may restrict blood vessels and aggregate the symptoms. Taking care of feet are very important this can be done by washing, drying and moisturising daily, wearing
Echocardiography uses sound waves to produce an image of the heart that allows you to see how it
Atherosclerosis can be a serious condition; it is when the arteries become clogged by fatty substances such as plaques or atheroma. This causes arteries to become narrow and harden which can restrict blood flow preventing organs from functioning properly (Williams 2000).
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a type of circulatory disorder that affects blood vessels in areas other than the heart or brain. Blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the legs are most commonly affected. Blood vessels in the arms, kidneys, and stomach are also commonly affected. PVD is sometimes called peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) affects 20% of adults over the age of 55 in the United States1. Research has found that this disease strongly correlates with the prevalence of myocardial infractions, strokes, and other vascular problems that result in death. With an increase in survival rates among Americans in general there will likely be more patients who are living with peripheral arterial disease. Primary care physicians currently under-diagnose PAD, which limits the options to manage this disease with secondary preventative measures2. In order to manage and prevent the effects of this disease it is important to understand the pathology, incidence, etiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, prognosis, and the treatment options for
The damage caused by the constant pressure that untreated hypertension exerts on artery walls can lead to atherosclerosis the severe narrowing and hardening of the arteries. Arteries hardened and narrowed by atherosclerotic plaques (fatty build up) may not be able to supply enough blood to the body’s organs. If the organs don’t get enough oxygen and nutrients, they can’t work properly (Stevens et al. 2012).
The main cause of cardiovascular disease is by blood vessels being blocked, narrowed or stiffened. This is usually caused by a build-up of plaque that has thickened and stiffened artery walls (atherosclerosis). This happening prevents parts of the body such as the heart, organs, tissues and the brain from receiving enough blood.
Atherosclerosis is a disease in which plaque builds up inside of the arteries. Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood to the heart and other parts of the body (5). The plaque that forms can be composed of from fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in the blood, which is dependent on a person’s diet. Over time the plaque will cause the arteries to harden which will cause them to lose their elastic function (5). If this happens it will limit blood flow of oxygen to the organs and other areas of the body. Atherosclerosis can lead to other serious medical problems such as heart attack, stroke, and eventually can lead to death. Coronary artery disease is when atherosclerosis effects the arteries supplying blood to the heart. More than 15.8 million Americans have a known coronary artery disease (6). Roughly eight million of them have experienced a heart attack. An estimated 500,000 people will die of coronary artery disease this year. One-third of all deaths in Americans older than 35 are due to coronary artery disease (6). 50% of men and one-third of women can expect to eventually have coronary artery disease. The death rate from coronary artery disease is higher in men than in women. Once a woman goes through menopause the rates of them developing atherosclerosis increases (5).
Cardiovascular disease is also most common cause of Atherosclerosis and also it can refer as blood vessel problems. The term Atherosclerosis means is too often damage heart or blood vessel. The disease is caused by correctable problems, such as smoking, unhealthily diet, being overweight and lack of exercise. For many years Atherosclerosis usually grows up by without any symptoms, but finally leads to serious health problems. A fatty plaque will suddenly start to build up in the blood vessels and lead to blood clots in artery; the blood regulation to the organs will be stopped by the artery, this damage may lead to the death of bodily tissues and also cause chest pain, being short of breath and weakness. This