What Are the Risk Factors for Atherosclerosis and the Proper Treatment Methods?

What Are the Risk Factors for Atherosclerosis

and the Proper Treatment Methods?

Blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar need attention because if they rise above normal levels, they can damage the heart and brain, which are directly connected to life.

In particular, during winter when temperatures drop sharply, the large temperature difference between indoors and outdoors causes blood vessels to constrict, increasing the likelihood of atherosclerosis.

Today, I will explain in detail the causes, symptoms, diagnostic methods, treatment methods, and prevention methods of atherosclerosis.

Many people do not realize that the cause of conditions such as stroke, myocardial infarction, and peripheral vascular disease is not arteriosclerosis, but atherosclerosis.

In general, arteriosclerosis refers to changes in the middle layer of an artery, where fibrosis progresses and the elasticity of the blood vessel decreases.

However, in atherosclerosis, lesions appear in part of the blood vessel, and fatty deposits form in the intima, gradually narrowing the vessel and obstructing the path of blood flow.

Risk factors for the disease include hypertension, diabetes, smoking, men over 45, and middle-aged women over 55.

Even when the disease has progressed considerably, there are no clearly noticeable symptoms, and symptoms only appear once the artery has narrowed by about 50%.

In cases of angina, patients complain of chest tightness, and if symptoms worsen in the arteries of the arms and legs, they can range from leg pain to gangrenous lesions.

If an artery gradually narrows or becomes blocked, sufficient blood flow cannot be supplied, so serious conditions such as myocardial infarction and stroke may occur.

Therefore, if related symptoms appear, treatment should be carried out immediately at an appropriate medical institution based on a proper diagnosis.

In general, after determining whether a person has diabetes or hypertension, tests such as an electrocardiogram, an exercise stress electrocardiogram, and a cardiac CT scan are performed.

Treatment usually involves stabilizing the atheroma with medications such as statins that lower LDL cholesterol, and then preventing the progression of vascular stenosis.

If hypertension is also present, blood pressure must be properly controlled through the administration of antihypertensive medications to prevent the disease from worsening further.

If the blood vessels are severely narrowed, a procedure in which a balloon and stent device are inserted into the vessel to widen the narrowed area may be considered.

To prevent the disease, it is above all important to maintain good daily habits, and eating fruits and vegetables every day is helpful.

Obesity is also one of the risk factors, so it is advisable to reduce the intake of high-calorie foods and build physical strength through regular exercise.

Lastly, if you smoke, even if you cannot quit right away, it is better to start moving toward quitting, and I hope you will actively make changes for a healthy life.