It comes from two sources: our liver produces it, and we consume it in animal products. The coronary arteries supply blood to the heart muscle. The right coronary artery supplies both the left and the right heart; the left coronary artery supplies the left heart. Atherosclerosis often occurs with aging. As you grow older, plaque buildup narrows your arteries and makes them stiffer.
These changes make it harder for blood to flow through them. Clots may form in these narrowed arteries and block blood flow. Pieces of plaque can also break off and move to smaller blood vessels, blocking them. These blockages starve tissues of blood and oxygen. This can result in damage or tissue death. It is a common cause of heart attack and stroke.
High blood cholesterol levels can cause hardening of the arteries at a younger age. For many people, high cholesterol levels are due to a diet that is too high in saturated fats and trans fats. Blood is the fuel that keeps your body alive and working. It's your blood that transports the oxygen your cells need to survive. To get to your heart and out the rest of your body, blood needs a clear pathway through your arteries. But as you get older - and if you eat too many French fries and cheeseburgers - your arteries can harden and narrow, fill with plaque, leaving less room for blood to flow through.
Let's talk today about atherosclerosis. Your arteries are like the pipes your water flows through to get to your bathroom sink. When the pipes are clear, water flows easily through them.
But when minerals, rust, and other debris get stuck in the pipes, it clogs them up, leaving less room for water to flow through. That's why you get nothing more than a drip when you turn on your bathroom sink. In your arteries, clogs are caused by plaque.
Plaque is a substance made up of fat and cholesterol, which are found in unhealthy foods like those French fries and also bacon. Because plaque is sticky, it collects on your artery walls and blocks the flow of blood. Sometimes a clump of plaque breaks off and floats away to a smaller blood vessel leading to your heart or brain.
If it gets stuck in that vessel, you can have a heart attack or stroke. Or, the plaque can weaken an artery wall, which is called an aneurysm. If that aneurysm breaks open, you could have a very life-threatening bleeding. How can you tell if you have atherosclerosis? Well, that's the tricky part, because often atherosclerosis doesn't cause any symptoms until you've got a blocked artery. And by then, you could already be having a heart attack or stroke.
So that you don't discover the problem too late, see your doctor for regular check-ups. Also have your blood pressure checked every 1 to 2 years before age 50, and then once a year after that. You may need to have your blood pressure checked even more often if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, or you've already had a stroke. Although you can't reverse atherosclerosis once it starts, you can prevent it with some easy lifestyle changes.
Eat a balanced diet that's high in heart-healthy fruits, vegetables, and fish. Exercise for at least 30 to 60 minutes a day. Stop smoking, cause that's really bad news for your arteries. If your cholesterol is high, ask your doctor whether you should take cholesterol-lowering medication. Lastly, you may also need to take aspirin or another blood-thinning drug to prevent clots from forming in your arteries. Atherosclerosis does not cause symptoms until blood flow to part of the body becomes slowed or blocked.
To prevent and reverse the hardening or narrowing of arteries, we recommend a heart healthy diet that is low in saturated fat and high in whole grains, fruits and vegetables, along with regular exercise. We also suggest quitting smoking and controlling chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
At University Hospitals, we offer a test called coronary artery calcium scoring. This non-invasive diagnostic procedure can warn you of any extensive hardening of the arteries.
If your calcium score is high, your arteries are likely hardening and your risk of developing coronary artery disease is significant. Coronary artery calcium scoring is recommended for men age 45 or older and women age 55 or older who do not have a history of coronary artery disease. It is also a good idea for anyone with one or more risk factors for heart disease.
In addition to reducing risk factors, the hardening or narrowing of arteries may be treated with medication. Our heart and vascular specialists at UH may prescribe medications to control blood pressure, lower cholesterol, prevent blood clot formation and improve blood flow. If lifestyle changes and medications are not effective, one of the following surgical procedures may be recommended:. To learn more about diagnostic tests, including coronary artery calcium scoring, contact one of our heart specialists at University Hospitals.
We have appointments available with our expert team at convenient locations near you. A heart-healthy diet full of fruits, vegetables and whole grains — and low in refined carbohydrates, sugars, saturated fat and sodium — can help you control your weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar.
Try substituting whole-grain bread in place of white bread. Grab an apple, a banana or carrot sticks as a snack. Read nutrition labels as a guide to control the amount of salt and fat you eat. Use monounsaturated fats, such as olive oil, and reduce or eliminate sugar and sugar substitutes.
If you have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes or another chronic disease, work with your doctor to manage the condition and promote overall health. It's thought that some foods and herbal supplements can help reduce your high cholesterol level and high blood pressure, two major risk factors for developing atherosclerosis.
With your doctor's OK, you might consider these supplements and products:. Talk to your doctor before adding any of these or other supplements to your atherosclerosis treatment. Some supplements can interact with medications, causing harmful side effects. You can also practice relaxation techniques, such as yoga or deep breathing, to help you relax and reduce your stress level. These practices can temporarily reduce your blood pressure, reducing your risk of developing atherosclerosis.
If you think you may have atherosclerosis or are worried about having atherosclerosis because of a strong family history of heart disease, make an appointment with your doctor to have your cholesterol level checked.
Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment and know what to expect from your doctor. Preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time with your doctor. For atherosclerosis, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:. It's never too early to make healthy lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, eating healthy foods and getting more exercise.
These are simple ways to protect yourself against atherosclerosis and its complications, including heart attack and stroke. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Diagnosis Your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your personal and family health history.
Heart scan coronary calcium scan Open pop-up dialog box Close. Heart scan coronary calcium scan A heart scan coronary calcium scan provides pictures of your heart's arteries. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Atherosclerosis.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Accessed Feb. American Heart Association. Zhao X. Pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
0コメント