What is atherosclerosis and how is it treated?

What is atherosclerosis and how is it treated?

What is atherosclerosis and how is it treated?

Atherosclerosis is also known as artery hardening. However, these deposits are not necessarily made of calcium. Nevertheless, so-called atherosclerotic plaques can contain calcium salts, which contribute to the hardening of blood vessels.

As the disease progresses, arterial blood vessels become thicker and harder. This restricts the cross-sectional area of the arteries, reducing the passage through these "tubes." Additionally, the vessels, which are naturally flexible, lose their elasticity.

As a result, blood flow is restricted, leading to poor circulation and reduced oxygen supply to affected areas. If sclerotic arteries rupture, blood clots can form, completely blocking the vessels. This can lead to emergencies such as heart attacks or strokes.

As a result, blood flow is restricted, leading to poor circulation and reduced oxygen supply to affected areas. If sclerotic arteries rupture, blood clots can form, completely blocking the vessels. This can lead to emergencies such as heart attacks or strokes.

Treatment in Switzerland involves undergoing a medical examination and blood tests to measure cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Depending on the symptoms described by the patientinvolves undergoing a medical examination and blood tests to measure cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Depending on the symptoms described by the patient, doctors arrange further investigations:, doctors arrange further investigations:

  • Electrocardiogram (ECG)
  • Stress ECG (to detect ischemic heart disease)
  • Ultrasound of the brain's blood vessels (to show the condition of the neck and brain's vessels)
  • Echocardiography (ultrasound examination of the heart)
  • Cardiac computed tomography (CT)
  • Imaging to detect insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle in ischemic heart disease (e.g., magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), SPECT, or PET of the heart)
  • Coronary angiography (making blood vessels visible using X-rays and contrast agents)
  • Head imaging (e.g., computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI))

 

Risk factors for developing atherosclerosis include smoking, obesity, and lack of physical exercise.

The increased risk of developing atherosclerosis can lead to changes in blood vessels in adolescence. The likelihood increases the more risk factors are present together. Other typical risk factors for atherosclerosis include:

  • Smoking
  • Smoking
  • Lack of physical exercise

That's why lifestyle plays a crucial role. However, fundamental diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes also increase the likelihood of atherosclerosis development. This is why it's important to start treating such conditions as early as possible.

In elderly individuals, the risk of atherosclerosis is higher. Women over 70 and men over 60 are more likely to suffer from it than younger individuals. Many of them are not engaged in regular physical activity, eat unhealthy foods, or already have existing medical conditions.

Atherosclerosis: prevention, early detection, prognosis

There are several things you can do to prevent atherosclerosis. A healthy diet is as important as regular physical activity and giving up habits that damage blood vessels:

  • Make sure you follow a low-cholesterol diet, and if necessary, reduce excess weight. Eat only small amounts of meat, sausages, fast food, or ready-made dishes, as these contain harmful fats and other additives that burden metabolism. Instead, consume whole grains, legumes, fish, plenty of fruits, and vegetables.
  • Engaging in endurance sports, such as cycling, brisk walking, running, cross-country skiing, or swimming for 30 minutes three to five times a week, has been proven to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. These activities also help shed excess pounds and maintain a healthy weight.
  • If you are a smoker, try to quit. There are many ways to quit smoking. If you can't do it on your own, seek help from professionals professionals.Smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for atherosclerosis and many other diseases.

Since symptoms only appear at later stages, you should undergo regular screenings for atherosclerosis, especially if you belong to a high-risk group. Because the earlier the disease is detected, the easier it is to treat.

Atherosclerosis - How to Treat?

The treatment of atherosclerosis depends on the stage of the disease. In pharmacological treatment, mainly vasodilators are used, which improve lipid metabolism and prevent the formation of blood clots. In cases of excessively high cholesterol levels, medications that regulate cholesterol levels are applied. Natural ingredients can assist in the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases. More and more often, we hear about the beneficial effects of flavonoids, associated with their ability to remove excess free radicals, hinder their formation, protect against the oxidation of lipoprotein fractions (LDL), and inhibit inflammation.

When conservative treatment proves inadequate, invasive treatment methods are introduced. These methods include stenting to expand narrowed blood vessels, removing atherosclerotic plaques, and bypass surgery (creating a detour around the narrowed vessel segment using vascular grafts). Diet plays an additional role in the treatment of atherosclerosis. The primary rule is to limit fats, especially animal fats, as well as simple sugars and salt. Detailed dietary recommendations can be obtained from a,dietitian.