Atherosclerosis - Symptoms and Treatment

Atherosclerosis is a process in which fatty substances (plaque), such as cholesterol, are deposited on the inner lining of blood vessels. It is a slow, complex disease that starts early in childhood and often progresses when people grow older. In other words "hardening of the arteries" in which cholesterol and other deposits build up on the inner walls of the arteries, limiting the flow of blood. Atherosclerosis can lead to stroke, heart attack, eye problems and kidney problems.

Causes of Atherosclerosis

Specially their are not a specific way through which this disease is generated but it is a cyclic chain of various other factors some of them are as follows:

1)Physical stress on the artery lining

2) Infection within the artery wall

3) High cholesterol or obesity

4) Oxidative damage to the artery lining

5) High blood pressure.

6) Tobacco smoke

7) Diabetes 

Symptoms of Atherosclerosis

Their is generally no symptoms shown by Atherosclerosis until one or more arteries are so clogged causing a sudden obstruction.

1) Pain or cramps specially during some kind of physical work

2) Chest pain called angina - due to lack of oxygen

3) Dizziness or transient ischaemic attacks

4) Leg cramps

Treatment of Atherosclerosis

1) Anticoagulant drugs

2) Vasodilator drugs

3) Surgical treatment if needed

4) Balloon angioplasty to open up narrowed vessels resulting in blood supply.

5) Coronary artery bypass surgery.

6) Endartectomy

7) A low-fat, low- cholesterol diet, losing weight, regular exercise, controlling blood pressure, and not smoking.