What is atherosclerosis. How does it affect your cardiovascular health. What are the risk factors and symptoms of atherosclerosis. How is atherosclerosis diagnosed and treated. What complications can arise from atherosclerosis. How can you prevent the progression of atherosclerosis.

Understanding Atherosclerosis: The Silent Threat to Cardiovascular Health

Atherosclerosis, often referred to as arteriosclerosis or hardening of the arteries, is a progressive condition that poses a significant threat to cardiovascular health. This article delves into the intricacies of atherosclerosis, exploring its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.

What exactly is atherosclerosis? It’s a condition characterized by the buildup of plaque within the arteries, leading to their narrowing and hardening. This process can severely impair blood flow, potentially resulting in serious health complications.

The Composition of Arterial Plaque

Arterial plaque is a complex mixture of substances that accumulate within the artery walls. What components make up this plaque? The primary constituents include:

• Cholesterol
• Fatty substances
• Cellular waste products
• Calcium
• Fibrin (a clotting material in the blood)

As these substances accumulate, they form deposits that thicken the arterial walls, gradually narrowing the channel through which blood flows. This restriction reduces the supply of oxygen and nutrients to various parts of the body, potentially leading to a range of health issues.

The Progressive Nature of Atherosclerosis: From Childhood to Adulthood

Contrary to popular belief, atherosclerosis is not a condition that suddenly develops in adulthood. How early can this process begin? Surprisingly, the first signs of atherosclerosis can appear as early as childhood, with the condition progressing slowly over a lifetime.

What factors contribute to the acceleration of atherosclerosis? As individuals age, several factors can expedite the progression of this condition:

• Poor dietary habits
• Lack of physical activity
• Genetic predisposition
• Exposure to environmental toxins

Understanding the long-term nature of atherosclerosis underscores the importance of early prevention and lifestyle modifications to maintain cardiovascular health throughout one’s life.

The Double Threat of Plaque: Rupture and Thrombosis

Plaque buildup in arteries presents a twofold danger to cardiovascular health. What are the two primary threats posed by arterial plaque?

1. Plaque Rupture: A piece of plaque can break off and travel through the bloodstream, potentially lodging in smaller vessels and causing blockages.
2. Thrombosis: The narrowed artery may lead to the formation of a blood clot (thrombus) that adheres to the inner wall of the blood vessel.

Both scenarios can result in a sudden and severe blockage of blood flow. Depending on the location of the blockage, this can lead to life-threatening conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, or tissue death in extremities.

Consequences of Arterial Blockage

What are the potential outcomes of a blocked artery? The consequences can vary based on the location and severity of the blockage:

• Heart Attack: When a coronary artery is blocked
• Stroke: If an artery supplying the brain is affected
• Gangrene: In cases where arteries supplying the extremities are obstructed

These serious health events highlight the critical importance of preventing and managing atherosclerosis to maintain overall cardiovascular health.

Risk Factors and Causes of Atherosclerosis: Unraveling the Complexity

While the exact cause of atherosclerosis remains somewhat elusive, researchers have identified several key risk factors that contribute to its development and progression. What are the primary risk factors for atherosclerosis?

• Elevated levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Cigarette smoking
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Family history of cardiovascular disease
• Advanced age

How do these factors contribute to the development of atherosclerosis? Many of these risk factors are believed to damage the inner lining of the arteries (endothelium), which is often the first step in the formation of plaque.

The Role of Smoking in Atherosclerosis Progression

Among the various risk factors, smoking deserves special attention due to its significant impact on atherosclerosis. How does smoking affect the progression of this condition?

Smoking accelerates the growth of plaque in several key areas:

• The aorta (the body’s main artery)
• Coronary arteries
• Arteries in the legs

Moreover, smoking increases the likelihood of fatty deposit formation and speeds up the overall progression of atherosclerosis. This underscores the importance of smoking cessation as a crucial step in preventing and managing this condition.

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Atherosclerosis: Recognizing the Warning Signs

One of the challenges in detecting atherosclerosis is that it often develops silently over many years without noticeable symptoms. When do symptoms typically appear? In many cases, symptoms only become evident when the artery has narrowed significantly or becomes completely blocked.

What symptoms might indicate the presence of atherosclerosis? The specific symptoms can vary depending on which arteries are affected:

• Coronary Arteries: Chest pain or pressure (angina)
• Carotid Arteries: Sudden weakness, slurred speech, or visual changes (signs of a TIA or stroke)
• Peripheral Arteries: Pain or cramping in the legs, especially during exercise
• Renal Arteries: High blood pressure or decreased kidney function

Diagnostic Approaches for Atherosclerosis

Given the often asymptomatic nature of atherosclerosis in its early stages, how do healthcare professionals diagnose this condition? Several diagnostic tools and tests can be employed:

1. Physical Examination: Checking for weak or absent pulses, abnormal sounds over arteries (bruits), or signs of aneurysms
2. Blood Tests: Assessing cholesterol levels and other markers of cardiovascular risk
3. Electrocardiogram (ECG): Detecting signs of heart damage from reduced blood flow
4. Stress Tests: Evaluating heart function during physical exertion
5. Imaging Studies: Such as CT scans, MRI, or angiograms to visualize the arteries and detect plaque buildup

Early detection through these diagnostic methods can be crucial in implementing timely interventions and preventing the progression of atherosclerosis.

Treatment Strategies for Atherosclerosis: A Multi-faceted Approach

Managing atherosclerosis often requires a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses both the underlying causes and the symptoms of the condition. What are the primary treatment strategies for atherosclerosis?

Lifestyle Modifications

The first line of defense against atherosclerosis often involves making significant lifestyle changes. What lifestyle modifications can help manage atherosclerosis?

• Adopting a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins
• Engaging in regular physical activity
• Quitting smoking
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Managing stress through relaxation techniques or counseling

Medications

In many cases, lifestyle changes alone may not be sufficient to manage atherosclerosis. What medications are commonly prescribed to treat this condition?

• Statins: To lower cholesterol levels
• Anti-platelet medications: To prevent blood clots
• Beta-blockers: To reduce heart rate and blood pressure
• ACE inhibitors: To lower blood pressure and reduce strain on the heart
• Calcium channel blockers: To relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure

Surgical Interventions

In severe cases of atherosclerosis, surgical procedures may be necessary. What are some common surgical interventions for atherosclerosis?

1. Angioplasty and Stent Placement: Opening narrowed arteries and inserting a mesh tube to keep them open
2. Endarterectomy: Surgically removing plaque from arteries
3. Bypass Surgery: Creating a graft to bypass blocked arteries

The choice of treatment depends on various factors, including the severity of the condition, the location of the affected arteries, and the patient’s overall health status.

Preventing Atherosclerosis: Proactive Measures for Cardiovascular Health

Given the progressive nature of atherosclerosis and its potential for serious complications, prevention plays a crucial role in maintaining cardiovascular health. What steps can individuals take to prevent or slow the progression of atherosclerosis?

Dietary Considerations

A heart-healthy diet is fundamental in preventing atherosclerosis. What dietary habits can help reduce the risk of this condition?

• Limiting saturated and trans fats
• Increasing consumption of omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish, flaxseed, and walnuts)
• Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
• Reducing sodium intake
• Moderating alcohol consumption

Regular Physical Activity

Exercise plays a vital role in preventing atherosclerosis. How does physical activity contribute to cardiovascular health?

• Improves circulation
• Helps maintain a healthy weight
• Reduces stress
• Lowers blood pressure
• Improves cholesterol levels

The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week for adults.

Regular Health Check-ups

Regular medical check-ups are essential for early detection and management of atherosclerosis risk factors. What should these check-ups include?

• Blood pressure measurements
• Cholesterol level tests
• Blood glucose tests
• Body Mass Index (BMI) calculations
• Discussion of family history and lifestyle factors

By staying proactive with these preventive measures, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of developing atherosclerosis and its associated complications.

The Future of Atherosclerosis Research: Emerging Treatments and Technologies

As our understanding of atherosclerosis continues to evolve, researchers are exploring new avenues for treatment and prevention. What are some of the promising areas of research in the field of atherosclerosis?

Gene Therapy

Researchers are investigating the potential of gene therapy to treat atherosclerosis. How might gene therapy be used to combat this condition?

• Targeting genes involved in cholesterol metabolism
• Enhancing the body’s natural ability to remove plaque from arteries
• Modifying genes to reduce inflammation in arterial walls

Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology holds promise for both the diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis. What potential applications of nanotechnology are being explored?

• Nano-sensors for early detection of arterial plaque
• Nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery to affected arteries
• Nano-scale devices for removing plaque without invasive surgery

Personalized Medicine

The field of personalized medicine is gaining traction in atherosclerosis management. How might personalized approaches improve treatment outcomes?

• Tailoring medications based on an individual’s genetic profile
• Developing personalized risk assessment tools
• Creating customized lifestyle intervention programs

These emerging areas of research offer hope for more effective prevention, early detection, and treatment of atherosclerosis in the future.

In conclusion, atherosclerosis represents a significant challenge to cardiovascular health, but with proper understanding, prevention, and management, its impact can be minimized. By staying informed about the latest developments in atherosclerosis research and treatment, individuals can take proactive steps to protect their cardiovascular health and improve their overall quality of life.

What is Atherosclerosis? | American Heart Association

Atherosclerosis and cholesterol

Plaque (fatty deposits) build up in your arteries is called atherosclerosis. These deposits are made up of cholesterol, fatty substances, cellular waste products, calcium and fibrin (a clotting material in the blood). Atherosclerosis is a type of arteriosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis means hardening (sclerosis) of the arteries.

As plaque builds up, the wall of the blood vessel thickens. This narrows the channel within the artery – reducing blood flow. That lessens the amount of oxygen and other nutrients reaching the body.

Watch an animation about atherosclerosis.

Where plaque develops, and the type of artery affected, varies with each person. Plaque may partially or totally block blood flow through large- or medium-sized arteries in the heart, brain, pelvis, legs, arms or kidneys. This can lead to conditions such as:

• Coronary heart disease (plaque in arteries in or leading to the heart)
• Angina (chest pain from reduced blood flow to the heart muscle)
• Carotid artery disease (plaque in neck arteries supplying blood to the brain)
• Peripheral artery disease, or PAD (plaque in arteries of the extremities, especially the legs)
• Chronic kidney disease

Plaque presents a double threat

Plaque itself can pose a risk. A piece of plaque can break off and be carried by the bloodstream until it gets stuck. And plaque that narrows an artery may lead to a blood clot (thrombus) that sticks to the blood vessel’s inner wall.

In either case, the artery can be blocked, cutting off blood flow.

If the blocked artery supplies the heart or brain, a heart attack or stroke occurs. If an artery supplying oxygen to the extremities (often the legs) is blocked, gangrene, or tissue death, can result.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) involves plaque buildup in arterial walls which includes conditions such as acute coronary syndrome and peripheral artery disease, and can cause a heart attack, stable or unstable angina, stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA) or aortic aneurysm.

Download Reduce Your Risk of ASCVD (PDF) | Spanish (PDF)

How it starts and how it progresses

Atherosclerosis is a slow, lifelong progression of changes in the blood vessels that may start in childhood and get worse faster as you age.

The cause of atherosclerosis isn’t completely known.

Many scientists believe plaque begins when an artery’s inner lining (called the endothelium) becomes damaged. Four possible causes of such damage are:

• Elevated levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood
• High blood pressure
• Cigarette smoking
• Diabetes

Smoking plays a big role in the progression of atherosclerosis in the aorta (the body’s main artery), coronary arteries and arteries in the legs. Smoking makes fatty deposits more likely to form, and it accelerates the growth of plaque.

Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisors. See our editorial policies and staff.

Last Reviewed: Nov 6, 2020

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Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

• What Is Atherosclerosis?
• What Causes Atherosclerosis?
• What Are the Symptoms of Atherosclerosis?
• What Are the Risk Factors for Atherosclerosis?
• How Do You Diagnose Atherosclerosis?
• How Does Plaque Affect Atherosclerosis?
• What Are the Complications of Atherosclerosis?
• How Do You Treat Atherosclerosis?
• More

Atherosclerosis is a hardening and narrowing of your arteries caused by cholesterol plaques lining the artery over time. It can put blood flow at risk as your arteries become blocked.

You might hear it called arteriosclerosis or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. It’s the usual cause of heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral vascular disease — what together are called cardiovascular disease.

You can prevent and treat this process.

Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood from your heart throughout your body. They’re lined by a thin layer of cells called the endothelium. It keeps the inside of your arteries in shape and smooth, which keeps blood flowing.

Atherosclerosis begins with damage to the endothelium. Common causes include:

• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Inflammation, like from arthritis or lupus
• Obesity or diabetes
• Smoking

That damage causes plaque to build up along the walls of your arteries.

When bad cholesterol, or LDL, crosses a damaged endothelium, it enters the wall of your artery. Your white blood cells stream in to digest the LDL. Over the years, cholesterol and cells become plaque in the wall of your artery.

Plaque creates a bump on your artery wall. As atherosclerosis gets worse, that bump gets bigger. When it gets big enough, it can create a blockage.

That process goes on throughout your entire body. It’s not only your heart at risk. You’re also at risk for stroke and other health problems.

Atherosclerosis usually doesn’t cause symptoms until you’re middle-age or older. As the narrowing becomes severe, it can choke off blood flow and cause pain. Blockages can also rupture suddenly. That causes blood to clot inside an artery at the site of the rupture.

You might not have symptoms until your artery is nearly closed or until you have a heart attack or stroke. Symptoms can also depend on which artery is narrowed or blocked.

Symptoms related to your coronary arteries include:

• Arrhythmia, an unusual heartbeat
• Pain or pressure in your upper body, including your chest, arms, neck, or jaw. This is known as angina.
• Shortness of breath

Symptoms related to the arteries that deliver blood to your brain include:

• Numbness or weakness in your arms or legs
• A hard time speaking or understanding someone who’s talking
• Drooping facial muscles
• Paralysis
• Severe headache
• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes

Symptoms related to the arteries of your arms, legs, and pelvis include:

• Leg pain when walking
• Numbness

Atherosclerosis starts when you’re young. Research has found that even teenagers can have signs.

If you’re 40 and generally healthy, you have about a 50% chance of getting serious atherosclerosis in your lifetime. The risk goes up as you get older. Most adults older than 60 have some atherosclerosis, but most don’t have noticeable symptoms.

These risk factors are behind more than 90% of all heart attacks:

• Abdominal obesity (“spare tire”)
• Diabetes
• High alcohol intake (more than one drink for women, one or two drinks for men, per day)
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Not eating fruits and vegetables
• Not exercising regularly
• Smoking
• Stress

Rates of death from atherosclerosis have fallen 25% in the past 3 decades. This is because of better lifestyles and improved treatments.

Your doctor will start with a physical exam. They’ll listen to your arteries and check for weak or absent pulses.

You might need tests, including:

• Angiogram, in which your doctor puts dye into your arteries so they’ll be visible on an X-ray
• Ankle-brachial index, a test to compare blood pressures in your lower leg and arm
• Blood tests to look for things that raise your risk of having atherosclerosis, like high cholesterol or blood sugar
• CT scan or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) to look for hardened or narrowed arteries
• EKG, a record of your heart’s electrical activity
• Stress test, in which you exercise while health care professionals watch your heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing

You might also need to see doctors who specialize in certain parts of your body, like cardiologists or vascular specialists, depending on your condition.

Plaques from atherosclerosis can behave in different ways.

They can stay in your artery wall. There, the plaque grows to a certain size and then stops. Since this plaque doesn’t block blood flow, it may never cause symptoms.

Plaque can grow in a slow, controlled way into the path of blood flow. Over time, it causes significant blockages. Pain in your chest or legs when you exert yourself is the usual symptom.

The worst happens when plaques suddenly rupture, allowing blood to clot inside an artery. In your brain, this causes a stroke; in your heart, a heart attack.

The plaques of atherosclerosis cause the three main kinds of cardiovascular disease:

• Coronary artery disease: Stable plaques in your heart’s arteries cause angina (chest pain). Sudden plaque rupture and clotting cause heart muscle to die. This is a heart attack.
• Cerebrovascular disease: Ruptured plaques in your brain’s arteries cause strokes with the potential for permanent brain damage. Temporary blockages in your artery can also cause something called transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), which are warning signs of a stroke. They don’t cause any brain injury.
• Peripheral artery disease: When the arteries in your legs narrow, it can lead to poor circulation. This makes it painful for you to walk. Wounds also won’t heal as well. If you have a severe form of the disease, you might need to have a limb removed (amputation).

Complications of atherosclerosis include:

• Aneurysms
• Angina
• Chronic kidney disease
• Coronary or carotid heart disease
• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Peripheral artery disease
• Stroke
• Unusual heart rhythms

Once you have a blockage, it’s generally there to stay. But with medication and lifestyle changes, you can slow or stop plaques. They may even shrink slightly with aggressive treatment.

Lifestyle changes: You can slow or stop atherosclerosis by taking care of the risk factors. That means a healthy diet, exercise, and no smoking. These changes won’t remove blockages, but they’re proven to lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Medication: Drugs for high cholesterol and high blood pressure will slow and may even halt atherosclerosis. They lower your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Your doctor can use more invasive techniques to open blockages from atherosclerosis or go around them:

• Angiography and stenting: Your doctor puts a thin tube into an artery in your leg or arm to get to diseased arteries. Blockages are visible on a live X-ray screen. Angioplasty (using a catheter with a balloon tip) and stenting can often open a blocked artery. Stenting helps ease symptoms, but it does not prevent heart attacks.
• Bypass surgery: Your doctor takes a healthy blood vessel, often from your leg or chest, and uses it to go around a blocked segment.
• Endarterectomy: Your doctor goes into the arteries in your neck to remove plaque and restore blood flow. They also may place a stent higher risk patients.
• Fibrinolytic therapy: A drug dissolves a blood clot that’s blocking your artery.

Your doctor will discuss the complications of these procedures with you. 

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Arterial stenosis – symptoms, causes, signs, diagnosis and treatment in “SM-Clinic”

This disease is treated by a Cardiologist
, Cardiovascular Surgeon

• What is it?
• Symptoms of arterial stenosis
• Causes of arterial stenosis
• Diagnosis of arterial stenosis
• Methods of treatment
• Surgical treatment
• Doctors

Symptoms of arterial stenosis

In the early stages, arterial stenosis does not manifest itself. This is the main danger of the disease: a person can live for a long time without realizing the threat hanging over him.

The further clinical picture of the disease directly depends on the location of the artery damaged by stenosis. So, with damage to the vessels of the brain in humans, there are manifestations of insufficient blood circulation and nutrition of the brain; with blockage of the arteries of the heart, the patient feels symptoms of heart failure, etc.

Carotid narrowing symptoms

The carotid artery is responsible for supplying nutrients to the brain. If its patency is disturbed, the following manifestations occur:

• dizziness
• blackout
• tinnitus
• weakness

Arterial stenosis often precedes ischemic stroke. Pathology can be recognized by the following symptoms:

• nausea and vomiting
• coordination difficulties
• headache
• speech problems
• numbness of one of the limbs and half of the face

Symptoms of stenosis of the arteries of the legs

Narrowing of the lumen of the vessels of the lower extremities, in contrast to stenosis of the carotid artery, is not difficult to recognize at any stage. The main manifestations of the disease include:

• pallor of the skin of the legs
• pain in legs
• lameness
• weakness in the muscles of the legs
• occurrence of ulcers on the extremities

Symptoms of stenosis of the arteries of the heart

The following symptoms indicate blockage of the vessels of the heart:

• shortness of breath
• increased heart rate
• chest pain
• swelling of limbs

Symptoms of renal artery stenosis

Renal artery stenosis provokes the development of ischemic nephropathy – renal failure. The pathological condition is characterized by several features:

• arterial hypertension
• scanty urination
• swelling of limbs and face
• weakness, poor performance
• gastrointestinal disorders (advanced)

Pulmonary artery stenosis

Pulmonary artery stenosis narrows the outflow tract of the right ventricle, which interferes with blood flow to the trunk of the lung. The disease is manifested by the following symptoms:

• dizziness
• weakness
• shortness of breath
• palpitations
• prone to fainting
• discoloration of the skin (pallor or blueness)

Causes of arterial stenosis

Arterial stenosis does not have a single cause. Most often, the occurrence of the disease is associated immediately with a group of external and internal factors.

First of all, it is necessary to note atherosclerosis – the accumulation of cholesterol plaques on the arterial walls. The formation of atherosclerotic plaques provokes a narrowing of the lumen of the vessels from the inside, causing vascular pathology.

Other causes of the development of the disease:

• congenital anomalies in the structure of blood vessels – tortuosity, hypoplasia
• dissection (dissection) of the walls of the artery
• compression of vessels by benign or malignant neoplasms
• increased thrombus formation
• diabetes mellitus
• metabolic disorder
• strong blow, concussion
• inflammatory vascular diseases – vasculitis, arteritis, Horton’s disease, Takayasu’s disease, etc.

Note that there are certain factors that significantly increase the risk of arterial stenosis. So, the disease is more likely to affect people who are obese, lead a sedentary lifestyle, abuse alcohol, smoke and consume large amounts of fatty foods.

Get advice

If you experience these symptoms, we recommend that you make an appointment with your doctor. Timely consultation will prevent negative consequences for your health.

To learn more about the disease, prices for treatment and sign up for a consultation with a specialist, you can call:

+7 (495) 292-39-72

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Treatment is carried out in accordance with clinical guidelines

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Comprehensive assessment of the nature of the disease and treatment prognosis

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Diagnosis of arterial stenosis

At the initial examination, the doctor interviews the patient, listens to complaints and conducts an examination. During the examination, the specialist measures blood pressure and pulse, listens to the heart rhythm, and conducts a visual examination of the patient’s skin. During the conversation, the doctor finds out the presence of chronic diseases in the anamnesis, learns about taking blood-clotting drugs, the presence of identified anomalies in the structure of blood vessels. Then the patient is sent for additional studies to clarify the diagnosis.

In the medical center “SM-Clinic” the diagnosis of arterial stenosis is performed by the following methods:

• arterial doppler ultrasound
• Computed angiography of vessels
• magnetic resonance angiography
• ECG of the heart
• UAC (general blood test), OAM (general urine test)

Methods of treatment

Depending on the stage of the disease, conservative or surgical treatment may be used.

Therapeutic treatment

In the early stages of the disease, conservative methods of treatment are used. Therapy varies depending on the localization of the narrowing of the lumen of the vessels and the underlying cause of the development of pathology. So, if vascular stenosis is provoked by the formation of a blood clot in the artery, the patient is prescribed antithrombotic drugs. With atherosclerotic vascular lesions, drugs are prescribed that reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood.

The patient also needs to take drugs that eliminate the symptoms of the disease – drugs that reduce blood pressure, anti-inflammatory and painkillers.

Surgical treatment

In the event that the narrowing of the lumen of the vessel has reached more than 50%, as well as in the presence of external symptoms (for example, previous ischemic strokes), conservative methods of treatment will not help to achieve the desired effect. In this case, doctors resort to surgical intervention.

The specialists of the Center for Surgery “SM-Clinic” are fluent in several methods of surgical intervention at once:

• Balloon angioplasty is an intravascular operation that restores normal arterial patency. During the operation, a small balloon is inserted into the vessel, when it is expanded, the accumulated plaques are removed, and the lumen of the vessel expands. The operation is indispensable for the atherosclerotic nature of stenosis.
• Vascular stenting is a modern minimally invasive technique for treating arterial stenosis, during which a stent is introduced into the lumen of the vessel – a special frame that strengthens the walls of the artery and prevents its re-narrowing. As a result of the operation, the functioning of blood vessels is restored and the blood supply to human organs is improved.
• Vascular bypass surgery is a commonly used operation that allows you to redirect blood flow around a narrowed vessel by forming a new channel. As a result of the operation, blood stops flowing through the damaged vessels, it goes around. This restores circulation.

The SM-Clinic Surgery Center is a modern world-class medical care. Our specialists help to cope with even the most difficult clinical situations.

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Heart arythmy
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hypertension
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Thoracic aortic atherosclerosis – causes, symptoms, who treats

What should be done to diagnose and treat atherosclerosis of the thoracic aorta ? To solve this problem, the first step for the patient is to make an appointment with a therapist. After the initial examination, the doctor may prescribe additional examinations:

• Consultation with a pulmonologist
• Laboratory tests
• CT thoracic aorta
• Ultrasound of the thoracic aorta and its branches
• Lung CT with contrast
• Aortography
• exercise tolerance test
• ECG.

Thoracic aortic atherosclerosis is a narrowing of the aorta (the main arteries) caused by plaque buildup. The aorta is the main blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients from the heart to the rest of the body. As the body ages, fats, cholesterol, and calcium can accumulate in the aorta and its branches and form plaque. The accumulation of plaque makes it difficult for blood to flow through the arteries a. The condition can lead to a lack of blood and oxygen. The plaque can also collapse, causing the formation of a blood clot. Left untreated, atherosclerosis can lead to stroke or bleeding. Atherosclerosis is a fairly common problem associated with aging. This condition is preventable and there are many successful treatment options.

Symptoms of atherosclerosis of the thoracic aorta

Most symptoms of atherosclerosis of the thoracic aorta do not appear until a blockage occurs. General symptoms of the disease:

• chest pain or angina pectoris
• irregular breathing
• fatigue.

It is also important to know the symptoms of a heart attack. This condition may be caused by atherosclerosis and require immediate medical attention:

• chest pain or discomfort
• pain in shoulders, back, neck, arms and jaw
• abdominal pain
• irregular breathing
• sweating
• nausea or vomiting
• feeling of impending doom, panic.

Causes of atherosclerosis of the thoracic aorta

When plaque builds up and the arteries of the heart become hard and inflamed, blood cannot circulate efficiently to the rest of the body. This prevents organs and tissues from receiving the oxygenated blood they need to function. The most common causes of hardening of the arteries are the following factors and conditions:

• High cholesterol
• Diet
• Aging.

Which doctor diagnoses atherosclerosis of the thoracic aorta

A vascular surgeon or cardiologist will perform a physical examination to detect symptoms of atherosclerosis, such as:

• weak pulse
• aneurysm – abnormal protrusion or expansion of an artery due to weakness of the arterial wall
• slow wound healing indicating limited blood flow
• Noise or whistling sound made by blood as it passes through a blocked artery.

The doctor examines the heart with a stethoscope to look for abnormal sounds. In addition, the patient is assigned specialized tests:

• blood test to check cholesterol levels
• Ultrasound of the thoracic aorta
• magnetic resonance angiography of the aorta
• cardiac angiogram, which is a type of chest x-ray that is done after a radioactive tracer 9 is injected into an artery0006
• electrocardiogram (ECG) measures electrical activity in the heart to identify areas of reduced blood flow
• EMT or exercise tolerance test that monitors heart rate and blood pressure during cardiac stimulation with exercise or special drugs.

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Scientific sources:

1. Endovascular methods in the treatment of patients with multifocal atherosclerosis / A.V.Ter-Akopyan // Annals of Surgery. -2002.-№1.-S. 11-17.
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Useful information

Aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta

What should be done to diagnose and treat an aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta? To solve this problem, the first step for the patient is to make an appointment with a vascular surgeon. After the initial examination, the doctor may prescribe additional studies:

Consultation with a pulmonologist
Lab tests
CT scan of the pulmonary aorta
Lung CT with contrast
Ultrasound of the heart
Ultrasound of the thoracic aorta and its branches

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What is the difference between CT and MRI

Computed tomography, abbreviated as CT, is a modernized form of the well-known X-ray. CT is performed using a special machine. X-rays are used to obtain an image of the examined part of the body.