What are the 3 main causes of atherosclerosis?
Causes
- High blood pressure.
- High cholesterol.
- High triglycerides, a type of fat (lipid) in your blood.
- Smoking and other sources of tobacco.
- Insulin resistance, obesity or diabetes.
- Inflammation from an unknown cause or from diseases such as arthritis, lupus, psoriasis or inflammatory bowel disease.
Where is the most common place for atherosclerosis?
The most important sites for clinically significant atherosclerotic disease in humans are the coronary arteries, with progression to atherothrombotic events and subsequent myocardial infarction.
What is the most common symptom of atherosclerosis?
Common symptoms include:
- chest pain or angina.
- pain in your leg, arm, and anywhere else that has a blocked artery.
- cramping in the buttocks while walking.
- shortness of breath.
- fatigue.
- confusion, which occurs if the blockage affects circulation to your brain.
What are the warning signs of arteriosclerosis?
Symptoms
- Chest pain or pressure (angina)
- Sudden arm or leg weakness or numbness.
- Slurred speech or difficulty speaking.
- Brief loss of vision in one eye.
- Drooping facial muscles.
- Pain when walking.
- High blood pressure.
- Kidney failure.
How is atherosclerosis diagnosed?
Doctors have an arsenal of diagnostic tests and tools they can access to confirm the presence of Atherosclerosis – these include an angiogram (Arteriogram), cholesterol tests, a chest x-ray, a CT (computed tomography) scan, Duplex scanning, an echocardiogram, an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), an exercise stress test ( …
Who is most at risk of atherosclerosis?
Atherosclerosis is very common. Over the age of 40, people in general good health have about a 50 per cent chance of developing serious atherosclerosis, with this risk increasing with age. Most people over the age of 60 have some atherosclerosis, but often do not have noticeable symptoms.
What is the best treatment for atherosclerosis?
Lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet and exercising, are the first treatment for atherosclerosis — and may be all that you need to treat your atherosclerosis….Surgery or other procedures
- Angioplasty and stent placement.
- Endarterectomy.
- Fibrinolytic therapy.
- Coronary artery bypass surgery.
How atherosclerosis is diagnosed?
Tests to Diagnose Atherosclerosis It’s an invasive test: A thin tube is put inside an artery in the leg or arm. It’s then threaded through the body’s maze of branching arteries. Injected dye shows arteries — and any blockages — on a monitor.
What test shows atherosclerosis?
Angiography: This test can show a picture of blockages caused by atherosclerosis. It can be done on arteries in your heart, brain, or legs. Because it has some risk, angiography is usually done only on people with symptoms from their atherosclerosis.
Can atherosclerosis be cured?
Bits of plaque can break loose and cause blood clots that may lead to heart attack or stroke. There is currently no cure for atherosclerosis, but the condition can be slowed with statin drugs and dietary changes.
Can ECG detect atherosclerosis?