Atherosclerosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention

NEURO

Dr. Ashok Hande

6/27/20233 min read

Atherosclerosis is hardening of the arteries due to deposits of calcium within the wall of the arteries. It is a generalised disease and affect all the arteries all over the body. It is the build-up of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on your artery walls. This build-up is called plaque. The plaque can cause your arteries to narrow, blocking blood flow. The plaque can also burst, leading to a blood clot.

Arteriosclerosis occurs when the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from your heart to the rest of your body (arteries) become thick and stiff — sometimes restricting blood flow to your organs and tissues. Healthy arteries are flexible and elastic, but over time, the walls in your arteries can harden, a condition commonly called hardening of the arteries. Although atherosclerosis is often considered a heart problem, it can affect arteries anywhere in your body. Atherosclerosis can be treated. Healthy lifestyle habits can help prevent atherosclerosis.

Symptoms of moderate to severe atherosclerosis depend on which arteries are affected. For example:

If atherosclerosis affect heart arteries, it can cause heart attack (Refer image 1,2,3)
If atherosclerosis affect the arteries of the brain, it can cause brain stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), which, if left untreated, may progress to a stroke.
If atherosclerosis affect the arteries of the arms and legs, it can cause peripheral artery disease, such as leg pain when walking (claudication) or decreased blood pressure in an affected limb. This can make you less sensitive to heat and cold, increasing your risk of burns or frostbite. In rare cases, poor circulation in your arms or legs can cause tissue death (gangrene). (Refer image 4,5)
If atherosclerosis affect the arteries leading to your kidneys, one develops high blood pressure or kidney failure. (Refer image 6)

There are four arteries (two internal carotids, called ICAs and two vertebral, called as VAs) which supply blood to the brain. After entering the skull, these four arteries form a circle below the base of the brain, called as circle of Willis. (Refer image 7,8,9,10)

Aneurysms. Atherosclerosis can also cause aneurysms, a serious complication that can occur anywhere in your body. An aneurysm is a bulge in the wall of your artery. (Refer image 11,12)

Risk factors include:

High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Diabetes
Obesity
Sleep apnoea
Smoking and other tobacco use
A family history of early heart disease
Lack of exercise
An unhealthy diet
High levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation

Prevention

The same healthy lifestyle changes recommended to treat atherosclerosis also help prevent it. These include:
Quitting smoking
Eating healthy foods
Exercising regularly
Maintaining a healthy weight
Checking and maintaining a healthy blood pressure
Checking and maintaining healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels