Atherosclerosis is a systemic disease that narrows the arteries with hardened plaque, causing serious health complications. What can lead to organic problems, such as heart attacks and strokes, highly disabling. Even, to the point, of ending in death.
Clogged arteries is one of the leading causes of death in the world. Specifically, because the arteries have the function of transporting oxygen-enriched blood to the heart. Therefore, when these blood vessels fill with hardened cholesterol, they become clogged, hindering the normal flow of nutrients to cells and organs. Slowing down physical and mental functions 1
The exact causes of this pathology are not yet clear. However, there are risk factors such as unhealthy habits, being overweight, poor diet, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle. Likewise, it has been associated with diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, and aging. Since platelets slowly adhere to the arterial walls, forming clots that limit blood flow over time.2
What is to be done?
The symptoms of atherosclerosis depend on the arteries that are being affected. This is how a strong pain in the chest can indicate a blockage in the coronary artery. In the same way as difficulty speaking or drooping of the muscles of the face, it may refer to cerebral ischemia, which, in any case, indicates that the health professional should be consulted quickly.
A blood count, as well as other diagnostic tests such as electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, stress test and ankle-brachial correlation, will serve as indicators of the patient’s health status. In this way to establish its clinical picture and estimate the appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
- The obstruction and hardening of the blood vessels is one of the main causes of myocardial infarction. For this reason, it is recommended to stop smoking, eat healthy foods, perform regular physical activity, keep blood pressure at bay, maintain an adequate weight and monitor the percentages of cholesterol in the blood.
- Likewise, among the medical recommendations, it is also to minimize risk factors with a healthy lifestyle, carry out periodic check-ups and seek medical advice. Seeking, lower the levels of fat in the blood and minimize the adjacent effects, such as heart and cerebrovascular problems.
- Drugs to control bad cholesterol, inhibit platelet build-up, reduce heart rate, protect the heart, relieve chest pain, and lower blood pressure. They are important in treating atherosclerosis. However, it is necessary to follow the recommended dosage and never self-medicate.3
- Surgery will be indicated in more serious cases. It is there where percutaneous coronary intervention aims to clear the arteries of the heart or carotid endarterectomy improves blood flow to the brain. Likewise, good veins from another part of the body are used to make a diversion or grafts, changing the direction of the blood, without having to circulate on the blocked path. 4
Atherosclerosis has a treatment and a cure, if the risk factors are reduced and a medical consultation is carried out in the early stages of the disease. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid junk food, combat sedentary lifestyle and eliminate tobacco. In this way, it is possible to have more years of life, in a satisfactory and happy way.
References:
- Carlos Lahoz and José M. Mostaza. Atherosclerosis as a systemic disease. Rev. Esp Cardiol. [internet]2007 [ consultado 13 abril 2021]; 60 (2): 184-95. Available in: https://teleducacion.medicinaudea.co/pluginfile.php/238291/mod_resource/content/1/25v60n02a13099465pdf001.pdf.
- 2. Hernández Puentes Yaimara Zunen. Atherosclerosis and the atherometric system. Rev Cub Med Mil. [Internet]. 2016 Jun [citado 2021 Abr 13]; 45 (2): 183-194. Available in:
http://scielo.sld.cu/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0138-65572016000200007&lng=es.
- Diego Sarre-Álvarez, Ricardo Cabrera-Jardines, Federico Rodríguez-Weber, Enrique Díaz-Greene. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Review of cardiovascular risk and age scales. Med Int Mex. [internet] 2018 [consultado abril 13 2021]; 34 (6): 910-923. Available in:
http://www.scielo.org.mx/pdf/mim/v34n6/0186-4866-mim-34-06-910.pdf.
- 4. Mariné M Leopoldo. Selective endovascular treatment of carotid bifurcation atherosclerosis. Rev Chil Cir. [Internet]. 2008 Dec [citado 2021 Abr 13]; 60 (6): 503-510. Available in:
https://scielo.conicyt.cl/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0718-40262008000600004&lng=es.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718-40262008000600004.