Atherosclerosis, The Foundation Of Cardiovascular Disease ( Cvd )

Coronary artery disease remains number one killer of the western civilization despite 40 years of aggressive drug and surgical interventions (Esselstyn). Usually, pharmaceutical drugs, such as statin, are given to try to slow the progression, but may provide uncomfortable side effects. In fact, the majority of patients discontinue statins within 1 year of treatment initiation (Maningat). Furthermore, surgery is performed to circumvent clogged arteries and literally bypass the symptoms. In the last year, 500,000 coronary bypass procedures were performed (Swaminathan et al). However, these surgeries can have significant risks, including the potential to cause further heart damage, stroke, and brain dysfunction. Thus, it is evident that these way of treatments may not be enough on its own, and that getting to the

One of the patient’s secondary diagnoses is atherosclerotic heart disease of native coronary artery without angina pectoris. He had a heart valve replacement in 2011. Atherosclerosis is a disease in which plaque made of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances builds up inside the arteries. This is an issue because the plaque hardens over time and narrows the arteries, which then limits the flow of oxygenated blood to vital tissues. This condition can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and death. Coronary artery atherosclerosis is the single largest killer of both men and women in the United States (Boudi, 2016). The patient’s atherosclerosis is located in the coronary artery. This artery is one of two main blood vessels that branch off

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).

Atherosclerosis is almost worldwide. Although it is hard to estimate how common atherosclerosis is, almost all adults have various parts of the illness. Cardiovascular disease is the single most common cause of illness and death in the developed country accounting for one in three of all deaths! Heart attacks due to coronary artery disease and strokes due to carotid artery disease are responsible for more deaths than all other causes combined. According to statics more than 80,000 people with cardiovascular disease died in 2005, making it the No.1 killer in America. Not only that, but each year in England and Wales, an estimated 124,000 deaths are caused by CVD, where about 39,000 of them occur in people under the age of 75. Due to the continuing obesity prevalent, it is predicted that atherosclerosis will continue to be a major health problem in this country.

The current epidemic of coronary heart diseases continues to increase as “cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death globally resulting in about 30% of deaths annually” (Jaleta, Gudina, & Getinet, 2014) and with Atherosclerosis being one of the top diseases among African Americans and obese children. Atherosclerosis is described as the disease of clogged arteries from buildup of plaque, causing arteries to become narrow, thick, and stiff which makes blood flow very difficult to pass. As many factors do contribute to the growth of this disease, this literature review will discuss the factors of the African American race as well as children being affected by Atherosclerosis. The substances of the plaque is usually composed of cholesterol, fat, and calcium which sticks together to harden over time in the walls of the arteries. As a result of such action, narrowed arteries can cause blood clots which can overtime lead to a heart attack. Although it is a treatable condition, lots of preventable methods are required to see improvements such as nutrition and exercise.

Presently, the treatment strategies used are risk factor modification, conventional pharmacology and surgical revascularization. These strategies have hitherto not been of enormous solution as the disease progression still result in recurrent symptoms. This has now led to the exploitation of advances in comprehending the vascular biology of atherogenesis to introduce novel cell and molecular-based therapies. The application of immunomodulation, lipid-lowering agents like statins, gene transfer, antisense technology and so on has resulted in new therapeutic strategies to interrupt cell proliferation and disorder of the vessel wall. In this essay, immunomudulation and lipid-lowering agent shall be discussed.

Atherosclerosis can be associate with atheromata’formation, which are raised, fibroadipose plaques that develop within the intimal layer of the artery or within the innermost layers of the tunica media. Some atheromata undergo calcification or ulceration, and mural thrombi can form over complicated and uncomplicated atheromata. As a result, can block or diminished the blood flow in the artery, turning tissue and organs oxygen deprived.

Atherosclerotic disease is caused by lipid deposits that calcified and turns into plaque which buildup and stick in the arteries. The plaque can break and lead to serious problems such as heart attack, stroke, and possibly even death. Factors such as high cholesterol in the blood, smoking, diabetes and high blood pressure all increases the risk for atherosclerotic complications. According to the American Heart Association (2017), the biggest contributor to heart disease is the lack of commitment to a heart healthy lifestyle. Therefore, lifestyle modifications such as healthy diet and exercise can play an important role in helping prevent cardiovascular disease.

According to Heart foundation (2015) , coronary heart disease is a major cause of death in Australia, which kills about one Australian every 12 minutes. It is known that the development of atherosclerosis is the vital cause of coronary heart disease. It induces the accumulation of connective tissue rudiments, lipids, cells and other elements in the coronary artery wall (Hansson, 2005). This results in the asymmetric thickenings of the innermost layer, intima, which prevents adequate blood flow through arteries to supply to the organs and tissues. The plaques origin early in life and can progressively enlarge, harden and cause significant blockage(Hansson, 2005, Mathur, 2010). Else, the plaque can rupture and create blood clots,

The frequent consumption of fast food disturbs the levels of cholesterol and fat that the body cannot process and results in atherosclerosis or clotting of the blood. The accumulation of fat and cholesterol in the body not only results in atherosclerosis but also increases the risk of blood clotting (Miller). Blood clotting is also a primary cause of cardiovascular diseases apart from atherosclerosis because it escalates the resistance of blood flowing through the veins and arteries. Fast food consumption is not only one of the leading causes of obesity and cardiovascular diseases but also leads to several other health disorders, including diabetes and hypertension.

Atherosclerosis initiates when endothelium becomes damaged, allowing the low-density lipoproteins cholesterol to accumulate in artery wall.

Atherosclerosis is the narrowing and hardening of the arteries. Atherosclerosis that occurs in coronary arteries is called coronary heart disease. Deep vein thrombosis can be fatal. The blood clot mixed with the fat on the blood vessels. As a result of heart attack, stroke, and sudden death.

A total of 705 CVD events (564 IHDs, 141 strokes) occurred, during 49452.8 follow-up person-years (minimum 0.1, maximum 12, median 10.9 years). IHD comprised of 39 (20 women and 19 men) fatal and 113 (36 women and 77 men) non-fatal MI, 331 (171 women and 160 men) UA, and 81 (26 women and 55 men) sudden cardiac deaths. Ischemic stroke composed of 30 (16 women and 14 men) fatal and 111 cases (57 women and 54 men) of non-fatal stroke. The total CVD event rates were 1.6 per 100 person-year for men and 1.3 per 100 person-year for women, without adjusting for age. Follow-up person-years, CVD events, and the levels of risk factors of the baseline examination are shown in Table 2.

Despite advancements in prevention, diagnosis and treatment, cardiovascular disease (CVD) still remains the leading cause of death in industrialized countries and creates an immense economic burden (Mendis et al., 2011). Of all CVD deaths, coronary heart disease (CHD) and stoke account for more than 80% of deaths (Mendis et al., 2011) with atherosclerosis as a key mechanism of disease (Libby, 2006). There are many known risk factors in the development of atherosclerosis such as age, gender, smoking, unhealthy diet, obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Many of such risk factors have a modifiable component and if corrected early can significantly reduce the risk of CVD progression and cardiac death (Bridget et al., 2010; Finks et al., 2012; Yusuf et al., 2004). Furthermore, it has been estimated that 90% of CVD can be prevented by early lifestyle interventions (McGill et al., 2008) highlighting the importance of early detection and appropriate lifestyle changes.

Disease of the arteries called atherosclerosis is medical condition characterized with accumulation of fatty material on the internal walls of the blood vessels that has impact on the blood flow. Medical experts warn that this medical condition is quite severe as it may lead to cardiac arrest, brain hemorrhages or even death.