What is atherosclerosis and what are its signs?

Atherosclerosis is a common condition, which leads to blockage of blood flow to the arteries or simply a narrowing of it. Atherosclerosis is when blood flow to the arteries is impeded or blocked by the presence of an atherosclerotic plaque. 

This phenomenon can lead to cardiovascular problems. Indeed, when blood flow is slowed (angina) or blocked (myocardial infarction), and that the heart is no longer enough oxygen, certain regions of the heart tissue are destroyed, and the heart can no longer be contract and fulfill its role as pump.

Atherosclerosis mainly affects large and medium arteries (coronary arteries, cerebral arteries, limb arteries, renal arteries). It should not be confused and atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis means the hardening, thickening and loss of elasticity of the arteries, thus contributing to atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerotic plaque is formed very slowly on the walls of arteries. It consists of deposits of cholesterol and other substances, such as immune cells and calcium ... As this as atheromatous plaque and extends gets thick, it limits the diameter of the artery.

The heart attack occurs when the artery is found blocked by a blood clot came to settle at the plate (to repair the damaged artery with plaque), or when the plaque breaks off and, via the bloodstream , will block a coronary artery remote and it is the infarction or a cerebral artery and that's the stroke, etc..

What are the signs and symptoms of atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis moved very slowly, very gradually, and usually occurs with no symptoms. Atherosclerosis can narrow the diameter of the coronary arteries of 50% or 70%, without causing symptoms. Thus in most cases, atherosclerosis is revealed only too late, when an accident occurs (angina, myocardial infarction, stroke, etc..).

This is so in the case of myocardial infarction, severe pain compressing the chest may radiate to the arms or jaw. This pain is sometimes accompanied by nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, pallor, sweating, anxiety ... It is a life-threatening emergency. In case of stroke, warning symptoms are: sudden weakness or paralysis of a member of only one side of the body, loss of balance, sudden decrease or loss of vision in one eye, confusion, speech disorders, headaches, etc..

In all cases, the nature of signs depends on the artery affected, the degree of obstruction and speed of this obstruction (sudden or gradual).

Sudden blockage of an artery:

•     Heart attack.
•     Stroke.
•     Gangrene affecting the toe, foot or leg (clogged arteries bringing blood to the legs).

Partial blockage of an artery:

•     Pain and cramping (indicating that blood flow is insufficient to meet the need of oxygen to muscles).
•     Chest pain during exercise (angina).
•     Leg pain when walking (lower limb arteries).

What to do in case of atherosclerosis?

When atherosclerosis causes complications (myocardial infarction, angina, stroke, kidney failure, heart failure, leg cramps, gangrene ...), in addition to treatment of these, therapy is recommended to reduce Risk factors for worsening of atherosclerosis:

•     healthy diet,
•     smoking cessation,
•     weight loss,
•     physical activity,  
  

There are also treatments to improve blood circulation, such as taking aspirin and beta blockers, or molecules lowering cholesterol, statins.

Finally, when the carotid arteries are significantly reduced by an atherosclerotic plaque, we resort to surgery of the arteries to prevent stroke.

If diagnosed after an EGG (ECG) and coronary angiography (or after a heart of course), obstruction of a coronary artery by an atherosclerotic plaque, can be a stent, so that support is placed within the artery so that it does not clog more.

The best way to guard against atherosclerosis and its complications is to adopt a healthy lifestyle: healthy eating, physical activity, smoking cessation.