What is arteriosclerosis?The most common form of arteriosclerosis is atherosclerosis and the two terms are often used interchangeably.
Atherosclerosis occurs when fatty material, such as cholesterol, is deposited along the walls of arteries, forming plaques and atheromas. This causes obstruction of the normal blood flow, which can be partial or complete.
Under such circumstances, not enough oxygen-carrying blood gets to the parts of the body that need it. If the brain is affected, a mini-stroke (transient ischaemic attack) or full-blown stroke may occur. When the heart is affected, it may result in angina chest pain or a heart attack.
Narrowing of the blood vessels can affect any part of the body, including the eyes, kidneys and legs, when it's called peripheral vascular disease (PVD).
The loss of elasticity of the blood vessels can also contribute to the development of high blood pressure (hypertension) and impotence (erectile dysfunction).
Another major concern is that pieces of the plaque may break off. When this occurs, the fragment is carried along in the blood until it reaches a part of the artery that's too narrow for it to pass through.
Causes of arteriosclerosisThis damage to the arteries doesn't happen overnight. It takes years for them to become hard, brittle and furred up.
Increasing age and family history are risk factors for atherosclerosis that can't be eliminated, but other major risk factors can be dealt with. These include smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure. Other contributors to heart disease and stroke include inactivity and being overweight.
Arteriosclerosis treatmentsNot smoking is essential if further damage to the arteries is to be avoided. Keeping cholesterol levels and weight at safe levels can be achieved by eating a healthy diet and taking regular exercise. Regular exercise and avoiding obesity will also reduce the risk of high blood pressure and diabetes.
When lifestyle changes aren't enough, you may be prescribed medication to lower your cholesterol, weight or blood pressure, or to control diabetes. Those with established atherosclerosis are also advised to take a daily dose of aspirin to reduce the risk of clots forming.
Medication may also be used to help keep the blood vessels wide enough for good blood flow to be achieved. In this way, symptoms such as angina chest pain can be kept at bay.
If the arteries become very narrowed, surgery may be required to widen them again. This is called angioplasty and is often accompanied by placing a small metal device called a stent inside the artery to keep it open. Stents that also contain drugs to prevent the artery becoming narrowed again are now available.
In some cases, it may necessary to remove some arterial wall deposits (endarterectomy) or bypass the blocked section of the artery using a piece of artery or vein from another part of the body (bypass grafting).
