Arteriosclerosis: What is It?

A group of diseases characterized by a loss of elasticity and a thickening of the artery is known as Arteriosclerosis. The most common form of Arteriosclerosis is identified as atherosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis, a term used to describe the hardening of arteries which result in the narrowing of vessel lumen. This condition eventually causes blood flow to slow down or stop completely to the organs supplied by the infected vessels. With insufficient blood supply, these organs become ischemic and may result in failure of organs in the long run.

How does Arteriosclerosis happen? Every artery has a very smooth inner lining known as the endothelium which is surrounded by artery wall. If the endothelium is damaged, blood material such as fatty, cholesterol containing deposits called plaque will begin to stick to the inner living of the artery, damaging the artery and interrupting blood flow. This plaque also causes the artery wall to harden or loss elasticity.

The loss of elasticity increases blood pressure as well as workload on the cardio. This is due to a harden vessel is unable to expand and accommodate the surge of the blood caused by the beast of the heart. The condition becomes more serious when the artery wall thickens to the point that the lumen is partially or completely occluded. It leads to the formation of plaque that often ulcerates or breaks loose which then forms an embolus (floating material in the blood). This embolus may stick in a vessel and occlude or stop blood flow, leading to ischemia of other organs.

The specific cause of atherosclerosis has not been determined after so many years. However, a combination of factors that contribute to atherosclerosis has been ruled out. Some of the factors are not controllable but many can be controlled and may be altered by a change in lifestyle. One of the non-controllable factors is due to hereditary. Atherosclerosis runs in families. This may be related to the common diet among the family or a genetic tendency to develop hypercholesterolemia exists.

Besides that, men are more prone to have atherosclerosis than women, until after female menopause of which time the incidence becomes more equal. Diabetics must beware as they have more atherosclerosis than those who are not diabetics. Age is not one of the factors anymore. Atherosclerosis used to happen to adults is now happening to youngsters below the age of 20. This is because of the diet teenagers nowadays undergo.

Some of the controllable factors include of the diet people nowadays consume. Obese individuals have more chances of getting atherosclerosis than others. This is because their intake of carbohydrates and fats is higher, Couch potatoes and those living sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of developing atherosclerosis. One of the most important risk factors is cigarette smoking. Putting a stop to puffing is ten times more effective in preventing atherosclerosis than a combination of exercise and diet control.

Stress increases blood pressure and later lead to atherosclerosis, but research does not support this idea. Apart from that, hypertension increases the risk for development of atherosclerosis. Usually, hypertension and atherosclerosis occur simultaneously with each complicating the treatment of the other.

Stenosis (narrowing) of lumen of the artery increases blood pressure, increases workload on the heart and decreases blood supply to organs. This is very dangerous to the health as atherosclerosis can be fatal. Diagnosis of atherosclerosis can be done by measuring blood pressure, arteriogram and X-ray. Doppler studies to determine blood flow may also be utilized. However, prevention is always better than cure. Atherosclerosis can be prevented by doing exercise, undergoing estrogen medication upon post menopause and experiencing a healthier lifestyle.