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Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis Treatment in Delhi, India

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Overview

Atherosclerosis is a severe condition with a build-up of cholesterol, fats, calcium, fibrin, and more in arteries. The plaque is deposited in the artery walls, which become stiff and thickened, making it difficult for the oxygen-rich blood to reach vital organs. Atherosclerosis is usually considered a heart problem, though it can affect any artery present in the body. People often confuse atherosclerosis with arteriosclerosis. However, it is essential to note that atherosclerosis is a specific type of arteriosclerosis.

Arteriosclerosis can occur when the blood vessels become thick and stiff, restricting blood flow. However, there could be different factors that make the arteries harden. It is caused due to the build-up of plaque, which is known as atherosclerosis. The condition is treatable with various options like lifestyle changes, medications, and surgery.

Types of Atherosclerosis

There are different stages of atherosclerosis, which correspond to the severity of the condition. These may include

Endothelial Damage 

This is stage 1 of atherosclerosis, which begins when there is damage to the inner layer of the artery wall. During this stage, the endothelium is damaged, which results in the accumulation of cholesterol at the site.

Fatty Streak

This is considered the second stage of atherosclerosis, which occurs when a yellow patch of substances forms at the site of the damaged endothelial.

Plaque Growth

In this stage, more dead cells and other substances continue to build up at the site, which causes the arteries to narrow.

Rupture of Plaque

This is the last stage of atherosclerosis. The plaque ruptures and comes in contact with the blood flowing in the arteries. This leads to the formation of a blood clot, which may lead to severe complications like a heart attack or stroke.

Atherosclerosis Symptoms

Atherosclerosis usually does not cause signs and symptoms until the artery is entirely blocked or narrowed. One may start noticing the symptoms if the artery is blocked more than 70 percent, which results in a slowdown of blood flow.

That some of the common symptoms of atherosclerosis may include the following:

  • Arrhythmia
  • Pressure or pain in the upper body, including in the chest, arms, neck, and more
  • Shortness of breath
  • Loss of motor or sensory function
  • Muscle weakness
  • Fatigue
  • Confusion due to affected circulation to the brain
  • Leg cramps
  • Mini stroke
  • Severe headache
  • Numbness

In case of a blood clot or sudden blockage due to atherosclerosis, one may experience the following symptoms of a heart attack:

  • Chest pain
  • Discomfort in the neck or jaw
  • Heart palpitation
  • Anxiety
  • Sweating
  • Fainting

The blood clot may also lead to stroke. The symptoms may include:

  • Numbness in the limbs or face
  • Loss of balance
  • Severe headache
  • Vision problems
  • Trouble speaking
  • Unable to understand speech

Atherosclerosis Causes

Atherosclerosis is a slow, lifelong progressive disease that may start as early as childhood and can get worse in older age. There is no known cause of atherosclerosis, though it may begin with damage or injury to the inner layer of the artery known as the endothelium. The damage allows plaque accumulation in the artery wall, which becomes rigid and narrows or blocks the artery over time.

The damage to endothelium may be caused due to following:

  • High blood pressure
  • Smoking or using other forms of tobacco
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • High levels of cholesterol
  • Insulin resistance
  • High levels of triglycerides
  • Inflammation due to underlying condition
  • High blood sugar

Atherosclerosis Diagnosis

The doctor may perform a physical examination using a stethoscope to listen to the whooshing sound of the arteries. The doctor may also ask about other signs and symptoms and the family history of the disease. Then, depending upon the consultation, the doctor may perform specific tests to confirm the presence and stage of atherosclerosis. These may include 

Blood Tests: Blood tests are done to check blood sugar and cholesterol levels in the body. The doctor may also prescribe CRP (C-Reactive Protein) test to check for the protein linked to inflammation of the arteries.

Stress Test:  During the test, the doctor attaches electrodes and asks the patient to walk on a treadmill and ride a bicycle. The test allows seeing the heart functioning when exercising to check for problems in the blood flow.

Doppler Ultrasound: The doctor uses a unique ultrasound device to measure the blood pressure along the arm or leg. This helps identify the degree of blockage and blood flow speed in the arteries.

Angiography: The healthcare provider injects a contrast dye into the arteries and then scans it using X-rays to locate and measure the severity of the blockage.

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): The test is done to measure the electric signal sent by the heart to check for any decreased blood flow.

Heart Scan: The test uses computerized tomography (CT) scan to create detailed heart pictures. The scan allows the doctor to see the calcium deposit in the artery walls.

Atherosclerosis Treatment

Depending upon the stage of atherosclerosis, the doctor may suggest the following treatments:

Medications

The doctor may prescribe statins and other cholesterol medicines to lower LDL cholesterol and help improve artery health. The doctor may also prescribe blood-thinning medications to reduce the risk of a blood clot.

Surgery

The doctor may also recommend surgery to open the blockages caused due to atherosclerosis. These may include:

Angioplasty or Stenting: During the procedure, the surgeon puts a catheter with a deflated balloon into the artery from the leg or arm to reach the affected artery. The surgeon then inflates the balloon to widen the artery and inserts a mesh-like tube known as a stent to maintain its position. The stent is placed permanently in the artery to keep that blood flowing in the heart.

Coronary artery bypass graft surgery: In the surgical procedure, the surgeon removes a healthy blood vessel from another part of the body, preferably from the thighs. The surgeon then uses the healthy blood vessel, bypass the blocked artery, and redirects the blood flow.

Endarterectomy: The surgical procedure is done to remove the plaque build-up from the walls of a narrowed artery. In some cases, the procedure is also known as carotid endarterectomy.

Fibrinolytic therapy: During the procedure, the surgeon the blood clot that is blocking the artery. The surgeon uses a clot-dissolving drug to break the blood clot and maintain proper blood flow in the artery.

Atherosclerosis Risk Factors

The following factors may increase the risk of developing atherosclerosis, including

Complications of Atherosclerosis

Complications associated with atherosclerosis include: 

Prevention of Atherosclerosis

Going through lifestyle changes may help prevent atherosclerosis and help treat the condition. These may include:

  • Lose weight
  • Quit Smoking
  • Eat a healthy diet
  • Keep a tab on blood pressure
  • Reduce stress level
  • Limit alcohol consumption
  • Increase physical activity
  • Check and maintain healthy cholesterol levels

Outlook for Patients

Atherosclerosis is a serious condition that can lead to life-threatening complications if not treated promptly. The condition can affect people at any age and usually do not exhibit any symptoms during the initial time. However, the condition can be treated by following a healthy lifestyle. There are different treatment options that can reduce the risk of complications.

Reviewed & Updated On

Reviewed by Dr. Viveka Kumar, Principal Director & Chief of Cath Labs (Pan Max) - Cardiac Sciences on 16-Jan-2023.



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