Arteriosclerosis / Atherosclerosis
Learn about the causes and risk factors of atherosclerosis and how it can cause significant problems in the brain, heart, and body. Access personalized care and guidance towards optimal neurointervention and vascular health with Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic in Singapore today.
Understanding Arteriosclerosis and Atherosclerosis
You may have heard the terms arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis interchanged, but there is a little difference to remember. Although Arteriosclerosis and Atherosclerosis are related, atherosclerosis is a specific type you must be aware of regarding symptoms and treatment.
This article is part of our guide to brain aneurysm causes and risk factors. For a complete overview, visit, Brain Aneurysm Causes and Risk Factors.
What is Arteriosclerosis?
Atherosclerosis develops when traveling blood vessels get stiff and thick, restricting how much blood flows to organs. This can harden the arteries and cause significant issues within the cardiac system. It is a complicated disease that progresses with age. Arteriosclerosis develops over time as well, and there are some signs to watch for in case you or a loved one is creating this disorder.
Types of Arteriosclerosis
Three main types of arteriosclerosis can develop. The more prominent is standard arteriosclerosis, in which small arteries start to become caver time. Other disorders include atherosclerosis, which develops in larger arteries, and Moenckeburg, in which smaller arteries are hardened over time.
Understanding Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a type of arteriosclerosis that develops long after someone has been suffering from it. In this type of arteriosclerosis, cholesterol, fats, and tarry substances like nicotine from smoking build up along the artery walls and narrow the blood flow path. Hardening happens commonly in large and medium sized arteries.
Process Development
At the beginning of atherosclerosis, endothelial damage can cause the arteries to start narrowing. Some arteries begin to narrow from plaque building up along the walls, which can cause a blockage.
Causes and Risk Factors for Atherosclerosis
Since atherosclerosis takes time, some causes behind the disease may impact someone's development. Those who have a long history of chronic disorders like high cholesterol and high blood pressure can develop this over time. Poor diet and being inactive are large.
Not everyone will have atherosclerosis, but some people have higher risks. Those who already suffer from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and complications from diabetes will have higher risks of developing this disease over time. Others who have a family history of this disorder or may be obese are also at higher risk factors for developing atherosclerosis. Age plays another risk factor where atherosclerosis risk increases after age 45 for men and, in women, after the age 55.
Symptoms and Complications of Atherosclerosis
When someone first develops atherosclerosis, they may not experience any symptoms immediately. Eventually, if the atherosclerosis is leading to the brain, chest pains and numbness throughout the body will develop. Symptoms of this developing in the limbs will be more painful, especially in the affected arm or leg.
If you check your blood pressure, it could be lower than it should be, which is a significant symptom for someone who has already been diagnosed with blood clots. If atherosclerosis is in the artery leading to the kidneys, a person will develop high blood pressure complications and issues with the kidneys. Depending on the types of complications and symptoms a person develops, they can start narrowing down where the atherosclerosis is in the body.
Severe Complications
Some of the more severe complications that develop from long-lasting atherosclerosis include chronic kidney disease, peripheral artery disease, and aneurysms. You'll want to make sure that you have started taking care of this disorder before it gets to this level of severity. These complications can last for a long time and be significantly hard to manage.
Did you also know that atherosclerosis can also lead to ischemic stroke, as a matter of fact, two types. An atherothrombotic stroke occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) forms at the site of an atherosclerotic plaque within a cerebral artery. An embolic stroke occurs when a blood clot or a piece of atherosclerotic plaque breaks loose from another part of the body and travels to the brain, causing a blockage.
Diagnosis
Those at high risk for developing atherosclerosis will need regular screenings to detect plaque buildup in the arteries. Blood tests and a physical exam were conducted to test for atherosclerosis. An angiography scan is done with a special dye to watch the blood flow through the body and look at the inside of arteries. This can show if the narrowing is due to plaque buildup and how severe it may be.
Treatment and Management
If you've been diagnosed with either arteriosclerosis or atherosclerosis, you can expect to add to your daily medications. You'll need medicine for high cholesterol, antiplatelet medicines to avoid blood clots and anticoagulants. These will need to be a part of your daily routine indefinitely as long as these arteries are trying to clog and stop further damage.
To manage these disorders, you'll have to do annual or biannual blood tests to see what your numbers are looking like and if your medication needs to be adjusted. Also, you'll likely have annual scans to check the conditions of your arteries and see if any have gotten worse. Treatment for worsening conditions could be having stints put into these arteries to open them up so the blood continues to flow correctly.
Prevention Strategies
Because this can impact your heart and other systems in your body, you must begin practicing preventative strategies right away. These include the following:
- Healthy diet
- Regular exercise
- Staying hydrated
- Stop smoking
These are some of the most common ways to prevent atherosclerosis from developing. Eating poorly and smoking will quickly tar the arteries and put you at risk for this disease, which will cause unwanted complications. It's important to keep up a steady routine of these strategies as early as possible and have your family involved.
Living with Arteriosclerosis/Atherosclerosis
Once you've been diagnosed with either arteriosclerosis or atherosclerosis, you can still live a full quality life. You'll want to start implementing the preventative strategies once you know it so it doesn't worsen. If your doctor prescribes medication, take it daily and carry it with you when traveling.
It's also good to keep up with your doctor appointments and let your physician know if you've experienced anything unusual. If something doesn't feel right, seek medical attention immediately, as these are serious disorders, and you may need immediate medical attention.
Receive World-Class Neurointervention and Vascular Care and Treatment in Singapore
If you're looking for a neurointervention and vascular specialist such as Dr. Manish Taneja, to assist with arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis, or other conditions, our Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic in Singapore is ready to help. We invite you to contact us today with any questions you may have and to schedule your next appointment.
Brain Aneurysm Resources
Explore our brain aneurysm resources. Understanding a brain aneurysm often involves learning across several areas.
Put Brain Aneurysm on Your Health Radar
Did you experience the worst headache of your life? Thoughts could be racing through your mind. A brain aneurysm is a weak spot in a blood vessel in the brain that can change over time. The key concern is when an aneurysm ruptures, which can disrupt blood flow, affect brain tissue, and lead to serious brain damage. Controllable conditions like high blood pressure can increase this risk and treatment options can depend on the condition. Surgical clipping is one option that prevents blood from entering the weakened area. In many cases, minimally invasive treatments can also be used to restore normal blood flow and reduce risk. We have created structured guides to help you explore each stage in more detail:
A simple (computed tomography) CT scan could be just what the doctor ordered and the first step in early detection and prevention of a brain aneurysm. Come in for an easy consultation with our brain aneurysm specialist in Singapore to be on your health radar.
Other Health Conditions
The Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic is your “go-to” facility for various neurological conditions and treatments. To arrange an appointment with Dr. Manish Taneja, our neurointervention specialist, contact us. You can also call us at (+65) 6904 8084 for a consultation.