What is Atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis is a when plague builds up in your arteries, (hardening of the arteries), and blocks the flow of blood to the heart, brain and other parts of the body. If blood is not allowed to flow to the heart then the heart is deprived of oxygen and it can become damaged and this can lead to a heart attack. The flow of blood can also be prevented from going to the brain if atherosclerosis develops and someone could develop a stroke.

The plague that builds up is normally made out of cholesterol. That's why it's good to have regular check ups to see if you are at risk.

People who consume foods that have a large amount of cholesterol are at risk when it comes to atherosclerosis. Cholesterol is a fatty substance. You will find that a lot of dairy products, such as eggs, milk, have a high cholesterol level. Animal products such as fish and meat also contain quite a bit of cholesterol. Avoid foods that have a high content of fat, salt and sugar because they all contribute to a blockage of your arteries. Start eating foods such as vegetables and fruits and whole grains. These types of foods are good for you and help you to have a healthy lifestyle.

An exercise program puts you on track to guard against atherosclerosis. When you exercise you are helping to eliminate the amount of fat in your blood and it helps to wipe out cholesterol. If you want to start an exercise program always check with your doctor. Start walking at first and then you may increase your pace to a light job. There are a number of exercises that you can do such as swimming, biking or aerobics.

It would be nice if there was some warning sign but unfortunately there you may or may not receive a warning. Atherosclerosis can start early on in life and that's why it's a good idea to lead a healthy lifestyle which incorporates plenty of exercise and healthy foods. If you lead a lifestyle filled with plenty of bad habits it has a tendency to catch up with you later on in life.

There could be signs later on when your arteries have been blocked to a certain extent. You could experience chest pain or even numbness. There are a number of people who never experienced any type of warning signs until they actually had a stroke or a heart attack. Living a healthy lifestyle can help you to avoid this condition.

Source: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/atherosclerosis-000016.htm