Atherosclerosis is a big word, with really bad consequences if you don’t take action.
First, you need to know how the condition, also known as hardening of the arteries, develops.
In truth, nobody knows all of the reasons humans can end up with atherosclerosis – what is known, however, are the conditions, traits, habits and lifestyle that may make you more prone to it. They include:
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol or triglycerides (another type of fat in the blood) levels in your blood
- Obesity
- A family history of early heart disease.
- Unhealthy diet
- Inadequate physical activity
- Age. The older you get the higher your risk. In men, the risk gets higher after the age of 45, and in women it increases after 55.
Some researchers believe that those things can damage your artery wall. One of the body’s reactions to that is to rush help to the scene of the damage, in this case in the form of platelets, a type of blood cell. They can then stick together, and that in turn can end up with an accumulation of cholesterol at that spot.
The net effect: all of that accumulation narrows your artery.
So what happens then? It depends on where the blocked artery is. You could end up with coronary artery disease, and that could lead to a heart attack. Or if the clog in your artery is in an artery leading to your brain, you could have a stroke, and if it’s in your arms or legs you could end up with peripheral artery disease.
Even though your risk of suffering from atherosclerosis increases as you get older, it’s very possible that the seeds of the problem begin growing in childhood.
If your doctor has determined that you have the condition, or you know you have a family history that may put you at risk in the future, here are some steps you can take:
- Eat a healthy diet, low in fat, and high in soluble fiber.
- Limit the amount of alcohol you drink – one drink a day for women, and two for men.
- Get regular exercise.
- Keep your weight under control, and aim for a Body Mass Index of 25 or less.
- Relax. There is evidence that stress, in particular anger, can trigger a heart attack.
- Take your medicine. Talk to your doctor about whether you need medication to control blood pressure and cholesterol. And then take it.
You should see your doctor if you think you have signs of hardening of the arteries. Chest pains, leg pain or numbness should all prompt a visit to your physician. \
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